Maharashtra govt. faces legal notice over decision to move Dharavi residents to Deonar dump yard

Mulund activist challenges Maharashtra government's decision to hand over Deonar dumping ground for Dharavi project, citing environmental concerns.

Mulund-based activist on Tuesday (April 22, 2025), sent a legal notice to the state government and the Mumbai Municipal Commissioner, demanding to cancel the cabinet decision of handing over of the Deonar dumping ground for the Dharavi rehabilitation project as it is violating the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Guidelines that clearly says no construction is allowed on the closed dumping ground for the next 15 years and the 500 meters area should be declared as a buffer zone.

“Maharashtra government has decided to give 124 acres of Deonar dumping ground to the “Dharavi Rehabilitation Project” and a tender has been floated to restore the site by spending thousands of crores. Mulund dumping ground is also being considered for the same project,” said Mulund-based activist and lawyer Sagar Devre. 

Mr. Devre sent a legal notice on the grounds that high-rises of rotting mixed waste on Deonar and Mulund sites generate methane, causing 21 times more global warming than carbon dioxide and produce leachate (liquid generated by airless waste), which pollutes groundwater, so the construction for residential purpose is not suitable. Besides, Deonar is not even a closed landfill and is one of the top 22 methane spots in the country, releasing an average of 6,202 kg of methane every hour. 

The legal notice was sent to the Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department and Environment Department and the BMC Commissioner.

Giving reference to the law, the legal notice mentioned the rules under Schedule-I of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, which advocates for a buffer zone of 500 meters and Municipal Solid Wastes Rules, 2000, states that post-closure care of landfill sites shall be conducted for at least 15 years and use of closed landfill sites after 15 years can be considered for human settlement. 

Maharashtra government plans to hand over the Mulund Dumping ground and Octroi land to DRP., In a letter dated 10th January 2024, the State Housing Department to the Urban Development Department and BMC directed that a 46-acre dumping land parcel in Mulund and another 18 acres of Mulund octroi land be used to build rental housing for 3-4 lakh Dharavi residents ineligible, as per the notice.