1 week ago
Bombay High Court Questions Mahalaxmi Dhobighat Redevelopment Land Use
The Bombay High Court is examining a plan involving Mumbai’s historic Mahalaxmi Dhobighat.
The drying area has reportedly been used by washermen since 1851.
Petitioners say about 720 Rassiholders have traditionally depended on the land.
They say the area was open municipal land, not a slum.
The land was included in a redevelopment project for a nearby slum area.
The petitioners are concerned that the Rassiholders may receive only machines instead of proper rehabilitation benefits.
The court wants officials and the developer to explain how this happened.
It will consider the matter again on September 1.
The Bombay High Court questioned the inclusion of a 7,724.61-square-metre Mahalaxmi drying area in a slum redevelopment project.
Petitioners said the open municipal land has been used by Rassiholders since 1851 and was never occupied by slum structures.
They said about 720 historically recognised Rassiholders were offered mechanised drying machines rather than rehabilitation benefits.
The court asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Slum Rehabilitation Authority and developer to explain the land’s inclusion and FSI approval.
The court ordered an affidavit from the Additional Municipal Commissioner and scheduled the next hearing for September 1.
- Who
- The Bombay High Court, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the Slum Rehabilitation Authority, Resonant Realtors Projects Pvt Ltd and the Rassiholders are involved.
- What
- The court is examining the inclusion of Mahalaxmi Dhobighat’s traditional drying area in a slum redevelopment project.
- Where
- Mahalaxmi, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- When
- The court sought explanations on August 18, 2026; the matter is scheduled for September 1.
- Why
- The court is examining whether valuable municipal land and the Rassiholders’ longstanding livelihood rights were diverted without proper due process and protection.
Key facts
- Land area
- 7,724.61 square metres
- Traditional use
- Rassiholders have used the drying area since 1851, according to the petitioners.
- Historically recognised users
- Around 720 Rassiholders
- Redevelopment project
- A slum redevelopment scheme for Sai Baba Nagar Co-operative Housing Society
- Developer
- Resonant Realtors Projects Pvt Ltd, formerly Omkar Realtors and Developers Pvt Ltd
- Legal provision cited
- The Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971 recognises community economic activity areas.
- Next hearing
- September 1, 2026
Quotes
Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale
Bombay High Court bench
“These valuable public lands cannot be just thrown out from the public pool of land maintained by the BMC and used for a forced redevelopment scheme.”
freepressjournal.in
“If what is being canvassed by the Petitioners is the correct position, this would really intrigue us.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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