A long-running government land dispute in Mankhurd has reached a major enforcement stage, with the Mumbai Suburban district administration clearing 57 commercial units from a nearly six-acre parcel along the Sion-Panvel Highway. The land is estimated to be worth around Rs 250 crore.
The property is part of a larger 140-acre, six-guntha parcel in Mankhurd and Deonar that was allotted to the Children’s Aid Society under government orders issued in 1939. The allotment was subject to conditions regulating the use and transfer of the land.
According to revenue records cited in the proceedings, around 23 acres were later sub-leased to five parties in 1974 without prior government permission. Portions of the land were subsequently occupied and developed, including for commercial purposes.
The latest demolition follows revenue proceedings that date back several years. In 2018, the Mumbai Suburban Collector directed action against the encroachments and provided for resumption of the affected government land. The parties concerned subsequently challenged the decision before higher revenue authorities, but their challenges were rejected by the Revenue Minister.
The physical demolition was carried out on September 10, 2026, with police personnel deployed from Trombay, Mankhurd and Deonar police stations along with reserve forces. Preventive measures and security arrangements were put in place ahead of the operation, which officials said concluded without any untoward incident.
The Mankhurd action forms part of a wider drive by the Mumbai Suburban district administration to reclaim government land under unauthorised occupation. District Collector Saurabh Katiyar said more than 50 acres of government land had been made encroachment-free through major drives in recent months, with further action planned in the coming months.
Additional District Collector Padmakar Rokade said action would continue wherever government land has been encroached upon or developed without authorisation, in accordance with the prescribed legal process.
Source: Mid-day
