Maharashtra has reclassified over 20,000 square meters of salt pan land in Wadala from Natural Area to Residential Zone, paving the way for an IAS officers' gymkhana and EVM warehouse facilities in a significant land-use policy shift.

Residents of Mumbai were becoming worried about the unlawful reclamation of the Wadala salt pans, which threatened a saltwater lake and adjoining mangroves. Land-grabbing was reportedly harming the ecosystem at Eastern Freeway entrance and exit sites.