The Bombay High Court has asked the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) what preventive measures it will take to stop new illegal constructions during the next three months, after the civic body said staffing shortages could affect demolition action during a period of special revision work and upcoming festivals.
The question was raised during a hearing on Tuesday before a bench of Justices Ajay Gadkari and Kamal Khata. The proceedings relate to a contempt petition filed by advocate Kishor Shetty, who has alleged that more than 4,000 illegal constructions in Navi Mumbai have not faced effective action from the NMMC and the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO).
According to the report placed before the court, the municipal corporation said that its demolition campaign could be affected for the next three months because personnel would be engaged in special intensive revision work and festival-related duties. The civic body’s submission concerned the practical ability to carry out demolitions, rather than an announcement that enforcement would stop entirely.
Taking note of that submission, the court asked how newly emerging illegal structures would be prevented during the period. It also asked whether the municipal corporation had already prepared any preventive measures to identify or stop such construction before it could expand.
The matter is being heard under continuing judicial oversight. During the hearing, the municipal corporation claimed that the court’s monitoring had reduced political interference in demolition operations. It also told the court that adequate police protection was now available during demolition drives because of orders issued in the case.
The civic body further stated that action had been taken against 25 additional illegal constructions up to September 7, 2026. The report did not provide details of the locations, type, size or ownership of those structures, nor did it specify the enforcement measures used in each case.
The proceedings place responsibility on both the NMMC and CIDCO in a city where construction permissions, land administration and enforcement involve multiple public authorities. The court’s questions focus on the gap between action against existing structures and preventive controls that could stop new unauthorised construction during a period when enforcement personnel may be diverted to other duties.
The court has scheduled the next hearing after three weeks. Before then, the municipal corporation is expected to respond on the preventive steps it can take during the stated three-month period. The supplied report does not indicate whether the NMMC or CIDCO has submitted a written prevention plan or whether the court has issued a fresh operational direction beyond seeking the authorities’ response.
