The Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed two public interest litigations (PILs) that had challenged the Maharashtra government’s decision to permit private development of reclaimed land at Bandra Reclamation by the Adani Group.
The petitions were filed by activist Zoru Bathena and the Bandra Reclamation Area Volunteers Organisation (BRAVO), who argued that the project violated Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. They sought a stay on the development and urged that the land be restored as a public green space.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) had allowed private development on the reclaimed land, a decision that drew opposition from the petitioners. However, the Adani Group and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) opposed the pleas, asserting that the land in question was outside the CRZ area and thus open for development.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) also defended the project, stating that it had already granted sanction to Adani for the construction of a residential building on a 28-acre plot at Bandra Reclamation. The civic body reiterated that the site did not fall within CRZ restrictions.
After hearing all parties, the High Court dismissed the PILs, clearing the way for the Adani Group to move ahead with its proposed development.
