In a major relief to National Textile Corporation and owners of closed private textile mills in Mumbai, the Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed developmental activity in the mill land provided they get the approval for construction of residential complexes from authorities.
Modifying a Bombay high court interim order putting a stop on all such construction activities on the mill land, a Bench comprising Justice N Santosh Hegde and Justice S B Sinha also asked the high court to decide the public interest litigation filed by Bombay Environmental Action Group latest by July 31.
"Interest of Justice would be subserved if the NTC is permitted to complete the transactions in terms of the scheme framed by BIFR," Justice Sinha said.
Quickly adding a rider, he said, "This would be subject to the conditions that in the event the writ petition ultimately succeeds, the vacant land available from other mills of NTC, if necessary would be offered by way of adjustment."
Today's order would help acquisition of NTC owned Jupiter Mills by India Bulls and other private owners like Bombay Dyeing, Mafatlal, Hindoostan Spinning and Weaving, Ruby and Morarjee Mills to undertake development of their mill land located in prime locations of congested Mumbai, if they have got layout plan approved and permission for construction.
The total area under the 58 Mills, closed after prolonged workers strike in the 1980s, was 600 acres, six times that of the bustling Nariman Point. The environmental group had argued that more space for greenery should be left by the mills to help the city breath easily.