Mumbai minister seeks reclaimed land for maritime activities

Mumbai's Minister for Ports and Fisheries, Nitesh Rane, has requested the municipal commissioner to transfer reclaimed land from the coastal road project to the Maharashtra Maritime Board. This transfer aims to support commercial maritime activities such as tourism and public events. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has plans to develop recreational spaces on part of the 111 hectares of reclaimed land. They indicated in a Supreme Court statement that after allocating 40 hectares for the coastal road and associated structures, the remaining land would be reserved for open space and landscaping. Rane pointed out that under the Indian Ports Act, lands reclaimed from the sea fall under the control of port authorities. He noted that the Maharashtra Maritime Board has the authority over these reclaimed lands along the coast. A state order from February 2023 reaffirmed that all such lands in the city belong to the Maharashtra Maritime Board. In his letter, Rane emphasized the importance of formally transferring the land from the Municipal Corporation to the Maritime Board. He believes this step will foster maritime trade, create job opportunities, and boost the state's economy.