Bombay High Court has directed the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to remove 462 unauthorised structures in Bhiwandi, Thane district, by February 2026. The order underscores the judiciary’s firm stance on protecting farmland from illegal encroachment and ensuring compliance with the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966.
The ruling follows a decade-old public interest litigation that exposed widespread illegal construction in Kon village and adjoining areas. A court-monitored survey revealed an alarming extent of unauthorised development — over 18,800 structures spread across 60 villages. These included residential units, commercial establishments, and buildings erected without requisite permissions on agricultural land. According to MMRDA officials, the planning authority initiated a large-scale drive in 2020 to identify and act against such encroachments. In 14 villages where surveys have been completed, demolition notices were served to over 6,500 structures. Utility providers were also approached to disconnect water and power supplies to the targeted properties, reducing the risk of further illegal occupation.
While some property owners sought to regularise their structures, only a fraction of applications met legal and planning requirements. Of the 331 cases reviewed, just 33 were approved while 133 were rejected, leaving hundreds of constructions vulnerable to demolition. Officials stated that the remaining 462 structures represent the final phase of this clearance operation. The High Court has also authorised police protection for MMRDA teams during the eviction process, anticipating possible resistance from occupants. Legal experts point out that this move reinforces the authority’s operational capacity to carry out court orders without delay or obstruction.
Urban planners believe the demolition initiative could serve as a turning point in addressing unchecked sprawl in peri-urban areas like Bhiwandi, which face mounting infrastructure stress due to unauthorised development. “Illegal construction not only undermines zoning laws but also strains public utilities, disrupts traffic planning, and compromises environmental sustainability,” said an urban policy analyst familiar with the matter. Bhiwandi, known for its warehousing and textile hubs, has experienced rapid land conversion in recent years, often bypassing legal processes. Experts stress that enforcing demolition orders is essential to deter future violations and create equitable, well-regulated urban growth patterns.
With the court’s 2026 deadline in place, MMRDA now faces the challenge of executing the final phase of removals while balancing legal, social, and environmental considerations. If completed on schedule, the move could set a precedent for similar crackdowns across Maharashtra’s expanding metropolitan belt.
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