Mumbai, May 14 (TOI): With the government both at the Centre and state inclined to free up land in the city, activists are worried that unplanned "development" can end up threatening the environment.

Campaigners want the Centre to share the plan prepared for the development of the port trust land with residents. Besides, they also want clarity on "mitigation measures" if it allows development on salt pans.

"The government set up the Rani Jadhav committee and citizens have participated in the exercise submitting their objections and suggestions. If they say that they will give only 350 acres for affordable housing one needs to know how they have arrived at that decision," said Nayana Kathpalia, trustee of Nagar.

Former civic chief D M Sukhtankar said unless there is addition of fairly large landmass there will be no breakthrough in creating affordable housing for the city. "Land must be opened up but along with that the government must put in place the right kind of policies so that there is supporting infrastructure such as transport and public amenities," he said.

Sukhtankar added there is trust deficit and the government must carry out the exercise in a transparent manner.

"Mumbai is witnessing rapid erosion and increased flooding. So it is important that 100-year flood plains are kept intact. Salt pans are flood plains and holding areas for the draining waters from the city during monsoon and prevent flooding in the city. Local fishing communities catch fish here during the monsoon," said D Stalin, director NGO Vanashakti.

Environmentalist Rishi Agarwal said if the government is planning construction on salt pans it must exercise caution. "There must be clarity on what use they will put the freed land to. Today the government is making very general statements," he said.

Pankaj Joshi, architect and executive director of Urban Design Research Institute said opening of land was a necessity to remove the "bottleneck for amenities".

He said the Existing Land Use plan prepared by the civic body details the deficiencies in each of the 24 wards, be it educational institutions, hospitals, open spaces, sewage treatment plans, stormwater and drainage stations. The BMC is recasting the Development Plan and it is an opportune time to include all these plots in the master plan, Joshi said.

"The state also has to clearly define as a matter of policy all the natural areas where no development will be allowed," he said.