Thane Faces ₹2,700 Crore TDR Burden

Thane residents are facing a potential financial burden of ₹2,700 crore due to the Transferable Development Rights (TDR) granted in connection with a land dispute near the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP).

Forest Minister Ganesh Naik has questioned the Thane Municipal Corporation's decision, asking why citizens should bear the financial burden when the civic body cannot utilise the land.

Naik expressed support for local residents who are planning to approach the Supreme Court over the issue, referring to reports that put the value of the TDR at around ₹4,000 crore.

The TDR issue is linked to the larger Chitalsar-Manpada land dispute involving around 193 acres, with developer D Dahyabhai & Co. claiming TDR estimated at ₹2,700–₹2,800 crore after a portion of the land was reserved for a public park.

The Bombay High Court had initially ruled in favour of the developer, but the Supreme Court subsequently stayed the order, citing issues concerning compliance with the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) and unresolved title transfers.

The apex court later cleared the path for the issuance of Transferable Development Rights (TDR) estimated to be worth approximately ₹2,800 crore, following a mutual settlement between the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) and M/s D. Dahyabhai & Company Private Limited.

Naik's backing of the residents' proposed legal challenge comes amid growing opposition to the TDR demand, with local groups arguing that any liability running into thousands of crores could ultimately translate into a significant financial and infrastructural burden for Thane.

The issue has sparked concerns among residents, with many questioning the rationale behind granting TDR for land that the Municipal Corporation cannot utilise.

The Forest Minister's comments were made at his 'Janta Darbar' (public grievance hearing) at Gadkari Rangayatan, where a large number of residents gathered to raise various civic and public-interest issues.

Representatives of 'Wake Up Thanekar', along with Manoj Pradhan, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) Thane district president, met Naik during the hearing and submitted a memorandum concerning a proposed data centre and the allocation of public land.

The SGNP land dispute has been a long-standing issue, with certain decisions relating to land allocation having been taken without keeping Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule informed.

Naik claimed that after Bawankule assured an inquiry, the land in question was returned last week.

The TDR burden on Thane residents has significant implications for the city's infrastructure and finances, and the ongoing dispute is likely to continue in the coming days.

In the context of the larger Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the issue highlights the need for careful planning and management of land resources, as well as the importance of transparency and accountability in decision-making processes.

The outcome of the Supreme Court case and the subsequent developments will be closely watched by residents and stakeholders, as it will have a significant impact on the city's future development and growth.