The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has demolished a building near the under-construction Diva Road Over Bridge (ROB), leaving several families without homes just days before Diwali. The action was taken to clear land required for the long-delayed infrastructure project, which has been under construction since 2019. However, the demolition has triggered concerns over the displacement of residents and compensation for landowners affected by the development.
The civic administration reportedly directed officials to speed up pending land acquisition procedures and remove obstacles holding up construction of the bridge’s approach roads. Police assistance was also authorised wherever necessary to facilitate the process.
The timing of the demolition has drawn criticism from residents and social activists, who questioned the impact on families during the festive period. Concerns were also raised that several farmers whose land was acquired for the project had not received adequate compensation. While the need to complete essential infrastructure was acknowledged, critics maintained that development should not come at the cost of ordinary citizens’ welfare.
Questions were also raised over alleged differences in how the civic body treated affected properties. Activists claimed that structures linked to political figures had also been impacted by the project, but similar demolition action had not been taken against all such properties. Allegations that certain buildings stood on land belonging to farmers further intensified demands for transparency.
Critics have called for an independent inquiry into the demolition process to establish whether the rules were applied equally and whether affected households were treated fairly.
This is reportedly the second demolition drive linked to the Diva ROB project conducted shortly before Diwali. In 2021, the civic body had also razed several buildings ahead of the festival to facilitate construction.
The project, launched in 2019 to improve connectivity across the Central Railway corridor, has seen its railway section completed. However, approach ramps on both sides are still pending, with land acquisition delays affecting progress. The TMC is responsible for completing these connecting sections, and December 2026 is the current deadline for the bridge.
Despite renewed efforts to accelerate construction, questions over rehabilitation, compensation and alleged unequal treatment remain unresolved.
Source: Mumbai Live
