Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has initiated a rigorous week‑long operation to curtail unlawful water usage. A total of 134 unauthorised water connections have been disconnected across nine wards, alongside the plugging of 79 borewells and the seizure of 18 motor pumps. Drivers of this campaign, launched on 25 July under the guidance of the Municipal Commissioner, targeted partially constructed or occupied buildings in hotspots such as Diva, Mumbra, Majiwada-Manpada, Kalwa, Uthalsar, and Lokmanya Nagar‑Savarkar Nagar. The operation aligns with court directives to prevent unauthorised constructions from exploiting civic resources.
City officials emphasise the campaign’s focus on restoring regulatory discipline rather than pursuing demolition. “This is about instilling order by ensuring only fully authorised properties receive essential services,” reported a senior TMC official. “Protecting residents from dubious developers is at the heart of our approach.” Despite enforcement efforts, political voices are urging further scrutiny. A local Congress leader terms the rise of illegal construction a form of “organised crime,” highlighting over 300 such structures citywide—including in the ecologically delicate Yeoor region. He has called for court-monitored demolition protocols, full disclosure of officials implicated in approving unauthorised connections, and investigations into alleged undue support from developers, bureaucrats, and politicians. He also proposed invoking the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) should decisive action not follow.
Legal experts observe the tension between enforcement and public accountability. Transparent procedures—such as issuing notices, allowing hearings, and enabling appeals—are seen as essential to prevent misuse of powers, while upholding citizen trust in governance. TMC officials assert that actions are being implemented under duly constituted protocols, though outside observers suggest that greater clarity may incentivise broader compliance. This enforcement drive comes against the backdrop of India’s urban expansion, where unchecked development strains civil infrastructure and degrades sensitive ecosystems. Civic administrators argue that policing illegal resource access is key to sustainable, equitable city growth—protecting the natural environment and ensuring citizens benefit from transparent planning.
Going forward, the stakes are high. Without sustained oversight, unsafe constructions and false approvals risk undermining public infrastructure and trust. As calls for accountability intensify, the path forward will require enforcing regulations firmly—but with procedural fairness and environmental sensitivity.
Also Read : MMRDA Acts Against Unauthorised Constructions In Multiple Notified Zones In MMR
