October 14, 2025: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued notices to nine ward officers in the island city amid allegations of irregularities and potential corruption in the road-widening scheme. The officers, from Wards A (Colaba) to F South (Parel), have been asked to submit detailed records on the implementation of Regulation 33(12)(B) under the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034. The notices were issued by Ashwini Joshi, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City), on October 7, a day after HT reported the allegations.
An internal BMC report highlighted concerns over the selective application of the bottleneck removal policy, which is intended to streamline road-widening and rehabilitate displaced residents. Instead of focusing on three roads at a time, as outlined in a 2023 circular, multiple road-widening lists were reportedly being drawn simultaneously, resulting in incomplete demolitions and unfinished roads.
The report also flagged potential corruption. Provision 33(12)(B) allows developers to remove encroachments in exchange for additional FSI, but mandates rehabilitation for project-affected persons (PAPs) within the same ward. Allegations suggest collusion between developers and ward officials, enabling ineligible beneficiaries to gain advantages while genuine PAPs were neglected.
Joshi has directed wards to submit specific data, including structures surveyed, Annexure-2 documents issued, demolition notices, and PAP relocation details, along with photographic evidence and accurate geolocation.
RTI activist Santosh Daundkar, who first raised concerns in 2023, said, “Under these schemes, developers are acquiring structures from eligible individuals at very low prices, often by obtaining affidavits from them. In many cases, these individuals are not provided with rehabilitation flats as promised. Instead, the developers sell the flats at ready reckoner rates, earning significant profits.”
Daundkar added that the malpractice appears to be part of a larger conspiracy involving developers, ward officers, and road engineers. “The misuse of 33(12)(A) and 33(12)(B) constitutes a serious offence. There should be a formal inquiry against the developers and BMC officers involved, and the registration of criminal proceedings against offenders,” he said.
Source: Hindustan Times
