The Bombay High Court has sought details from the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) on measures it plans to adopt to prevent fresh illegal constructions over the next three months, after the civic body cited staff shortages that could affect demolition operations.
The matter was heard on Tuesday by a bench comprising Justices Ajay Gadkari and Kamal Khata. The proceedings stem from a contempt petition filed by advocate Kishor Shetty, who has alleged that more than 4,000 unauthorised constructions in Navi Mumbai have not faced effective enforcement action by the NMMC and the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO).
Court Seeks Preventive Measures
During the hearing, NMMC informed the court that its demolition operations could face practical constraints over the coming three months as personnel would be engaged in special intensive revision work and duties related to upcoming festivals.
The submission was regarding the availability of staff for demolition operations and did not indicate that enforcement would be completely suspended.
The court, however, questioned how the civic body would prevent new unauthorised structures from coming up during this period. It also sought to know whether NMMC had already formulated preventive mechanisms to identify and stop illegal construction at an early stage.
The case continues to remain under judicial monitoring. NMMC told the court that ongoing judicial oversight had helped reduce political interference in demolition activities. It also said that adequate police protection was now available during enforcement drives following directions issued in the proceedings.
25 More Structures Face Action
According to the civic body’s submission, action had been taken against 25 additional illegal constructions up to September 7, 2026. However, details about their locations, scale, ownership and the precise enforcement measures taken were not provided in the report.
The proceedings highlight the complexity of enforcement in Navi Mumbai, where development permissions, land ownership and regulatory action involve both NMMC and CIDCO.
The court’s questioning has shifted attention beyond the demolition of existing structures to preventing new illegal construction, particularly when civic staff may be diverted to other administrative and festival-related responsibilities.
With the next hearing scheduled after three weeks, NMMC is expected to explain what preventive measures can be deployed during the three-month period. The available information does not indicate whether the civic body or CIDCO has submitted a formal prevention plan or whether the court has issued any further operational directions beyond seeking a response.
The hearing therefore places renewed focus on how Navi Mumbai can strengthen real-time monitoring and enforcement so that unauthorised structures are stopped before they become larger and more difficult to remove.
Source: Urban Acres
