Nitesh Rane slammed for staking claim to Coastal Road land, claims he was ‘misinterpreted’

In a letter to municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani on March 25, Rane had brazenly demanded the transfer of land from Raj Bhavan (Malabar Hill) to Worli Seaface, reclaimed for one of Mumbai’s flagship projects

MUMBAI: Ports and fisheries minister Nitesh Rane’s audacious claim to the land reclaimed for Mumbai’s Coastal Road project has backfired. Rane, who suggested his department could monitise the land, has been roundly rebuffed by opposition leaders as well as Mumbai suburban district guardian minister Ashish Shelar, who said the reclaimed land would “remain open to the sky”.

Around 70 hectares of reclaimed land, prime real estate along the city’s western seafront, has been reserved as open space by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (HT Photo)

In a letter to municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani on March 25, Rane had brazenly demanded the transfer of land from Raj Bhavan (Malabar Hill) to Worli Seaface, reclaimed for one of Mumbai’s flagship projects. Around 70 hectares of reclaimed land, prime real estate along the city’s western seafront, has been reserved as open space by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which is developing the coastal road.

Rane, however, sought the transfer of the land to the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) under his department, for commercial use such as public events and hoardings. He claimed the MMB has jurisdiction over the land under the Indian Ports Act 1908.

But, on Wednesday, Rane walked back his claim, after a hail of protests from opposition parties. He said it was merely a “simple letter” and he had been misunderstood.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray was categorical in a post on X. ``Hearing that some Dalaals of builders are asking for the open space of the South Bound Coastal Road we (erstwhile MVA government) planned and initiated for Mumbai. NO! Mumbaikars won’t hand it over to you! This land belongs to us – Mumbaikars – and not for handing it over to the dalaals of builders.”

Mumbai Congress chief and MP Varsha Gaikwad said both the state and central governments had assured Mumbaiites that the reclaimed land would be developed and maintained exclusively as public open space—a much-needed green lung for Mumbai. “This government is busy selling Mumbai’s future, snatching public land meant for parks, promenades, and green spaces, and handing it over to its builder-friends and land mafia,” Gaikwad alleged, adding that the Congress is demanding that the reclaimed land be developed as a coastal forest.

Significantly, guardian minister for Mumbai suburban district, Ashish Shelar, said, “While giving its clearance (for the reclamation), the ministry of environment and forests said there can be no commercial exploitation. This land has to be kept open to the sky. No structure can be constructed. This undertaking was to be given by the Uddhav Thackeray-led government. When our government came to power, we gave this undertaking.”

A senior BMC officer added, “The Supreme Court guidelines are very clear. They don’t allow any commercialisation on reclaimed land. No port-related activity can come up here as it is linear land.’’

On Wednesday evening, Rane backpedalled on his claim. In a social media post, he said, “My letter to the @mybmc has been misinterpreted! As expected! Anyways… It’s just a simple letter asking the BMC to have a revenue sharing model IF it does come up with any revenue generation measures like hoarding or events of any kind. MMB is NOT asking for any land or looking to reclaim any Land!”