A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Bombay High Court challenging the closure and proposed demolition of New Mahim Public Municipal School, with petitioners alleging that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) acted arbitrarily despite conflicting structural audit findings.
The school on Sonawala Agiary Marg was shut in May 2025 following a December 2024 structural assessment. However, a subsequent independent audit reportedly classified the building as C-2A and recommended temporary evacuation and repairs instead of demolition.
The petition invokes Articles 14 and 21A of the Constitution and provisions of the Right to Education Act, 2009. It contends that the closure has affected access to neighbourhood schooling for nearly 2,500 children, particularly those from economically weaker sections.
Established in 1965, the school was built on land reserved for a municipal school under the Development Plan. It has a capacity of around 2,500 students and offers education from Class I to XII in Marathi, Hindi, English, Kannada and Urdu. About 1,000 students were enrolled during 2024-25 before the institution was closed.
Conflicting Structural Assessments
According to documents obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, a December 5, 2024 meeting classified the building as C-2, indicating the need for major structural repairs. However, proceedings dated December 19 reportedly stated that demolition was the only option.
The petition questions the change in classification within 14 days without a fresh structural audit or detailed technical explanation.
An independent audit conducted by Shashank Mehendale and Associates on September 23, 2025 reportedly classified the structure as C-2A and recommended repairs under professional supervision. The petitioners allege that the BMC did not adequately consider this report.
They also question why the school continued operating until May 2025 if the building had already been considered unsafe.
Concerns Over Long-Term Closure
The petition cites protests, representations and statements by civic and government representatives seeking restoration of the school. It also refers to nearby Mori Road Municipal School, demolished in 2020, whose reconstruction tender was reportedly issued only in November 2025.
The petitioners fear a similar delay could leave New Mahim students without a permanent neighbourhood school for years if the existing structure is demolished.
They have urged authorities to consider repairing the building and restoring the school, arguing that the issue also highlights wider concerns over municipal education infrastructure and the use of land reserved for public facilities.
Source: Hindustan Times
