The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided not to proceed with its proposed special drive targeting slum structures measuring 14 feet or more, following opposition from political representatives across party lines.
The civic body had announced on September 19 that it would conduct a three-month campaign from October 1 against unauthorised constructions in slum areas. Structures reaching a height of 14 feet or above were identified as a specific focus of the proposed action.
The plan, however, faced resistance from politicians belonging to the BJP, UBT Shiv Sena and Congress, who wrote to the civic administration opposing the proposed demolition campaign.
Clarifying the BMC’s current position, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said, “No mass action or special drive is planned. Ward teams will keep doing their regular encroachment removal with focus on unsafe multi-storey slum structures as well as commercial structures specifically made to earn rent by following due process of law. It will be properly monitored. Additionally, special focus will be there on not allowing any new multi-storey construction”
The civic administration will therefore continue its regular enforcement activities against encroachments instead of implementing the separately announced special drive. Officials will particularly monitor unsafe multi-storey slum structures and constructions that are allegedly being used commercially for rental purposes.
Mumbai has approximately 223,150 slum structures, according to civic data. Action has already been taken against 4,584 such structures, while notices have been issued to another 611.
The BMC has also continued enforcement under other civic initiatives. On Tuesday, it removed 20 unauthorised constructions and 15 unauthorised stalls in Borivli as part of its “Pedestrian First” campaign.
The action was carried out across parts of Borivli West, including Lokmanya Tilak Road, Market Lane and Borivli Subway Road. The campaign is aimed at clearing obstructions from footpaths and improving pedestrian movement.
The decision to hold back the proposed 14-foot-plus special drive means that enforcement against slum encroachments will continue through the BMC’s existing ward-level mechanisms. At the same time, the civic administration has indicated that preventing fresh multi-storey unauthorised construction will remain a priority.
The BMC’s approach now places greater emphasis on targeted action against structures considered unsafe or commercial, while following the prescribed legal procedures for enforcement.
Source: Times of India
