Intro: From land earmarked for Film City to plots allotted for public institutions, Mumbai’s suburban administration has stepped up its anti-encroachment drive, recovering nearly 40 acres of government land across Mankhurd, Govandi and the Sion-Panvel Highway belt.
Mumbai’s drive to reclaim encroached government land has gathered pace, with the Mumbai Suburban district administration clearing around 40 acres of land valued at an estimated Rs 1,500 crore over the past six months. The recovered plots, which were occupied by unauthorised residential and commercial structures, have been handed over to their respective government allottees.
In its latest action on Thursday, October 29, officials removed unauthorised shops from a two-acre government land parcel in Deonar, along the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road (GMLR). The plot had been allotted to the Leather Industries and Charmakar Development Corporation (LIDCOM) but had remained occupied by commercial structures for several years.
Additional Collector (Encroachments and Removals) Padmakar Rokade said all unauthorised shops had been demolished and the land handed over to LIDCOM.
Six Acres of Government Land Cleared in Mankhurd
The latest demolition drive followed the clearance of a six-acre government land parcel in Mankhurd allotted to the Children’s Aid Society. The land, estimated to be worth Rs 60 crore to Rs 80 crore, was cleared in phases. Around five acres were reclaimed last month, while the remaining portion, which housed a residential structure, was cleared earlier this week.
Land Allotted for Film City and Maharashtra Prisons Department Reclaimed
Other major government land parcels recovered during the six-month anti-encroachment drive include 11 acres in Mankhurd, which had around 1,200 unauthorised hutments and was allotted to the Maharashtra Prisons Department.
The administration also cleared 14 acres at the Kurla scrap yard in Mankhurd, earmarked for Film City under the Cultural Department. Another four-acre plot beneath Tata Power cables was reclaimed. A garden and beautification project is proposed on this land.
Rokade said the administration had expedited encroachment removal following instructions from the state government. He added that ministers and local MLAs had been regularly following up with the district office to ensure action against unauthorised structures.
Further Action Against Illegal Slum Structures
The Govandi-Mankhurd belt is among Mumbai’s heavily encroached areas, with several unauthorised residential and commercial structures and decades-old slum settlements.
The administration is also planning further action against illegal slum structures, particularly those exceeding 14 feet in height, in accordance with directions from the municipal commissioner.
The continued drive is aimed at recovering government-owned land and transferring it to the agencies and departments for which the plots were originally allotted.
Source: The Free Press Journal
