The Maharashtra government has announced the formation of a judicial inquiry to investigate the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) handling of illegal structures in Mumbai. The decision comes after mounting criticism from members of the state legislative council, who have accused the civic body of neglecting its duties and failing to address thousands of complaints about unauthorised constructions.
The issue was brought to the forefront during a legislative session, where opposition lawmakers raised serious concerns about the BMC’s inaction despite the clear legal framework designed to tackle illegal buildings. Over 16,000 complaints have been lodged with the BMC regarding unauthorised structures, but only a fraction of these complaints have resulted in demolitions. This has sparked accusations of systemic failures, with some alleging a nexus between BMC officers and the owners of illegal buildings.
One lawmaker accused BMC officials of allowing larger illegal structures to thrive, while smaller ones were swiftly demolished. Allegations were made that these large structures were being protected, with owners encouraged to move to the courts for stay orders. It was also claimed that BMC officers had been bribed for favourable postings, which led to their inaction in handling illegal constructions.
The Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, introduced in 2014, was meant to address illegal constructions, but enforcement has been lacklustre. While the BMC claims to have demolished 2,500 structures, the large number of outstanding cases and the lack of accountability for responsible officers has raised alarm bells.In a bid to address these concerns, Maharashtra’s industries minister confirmed that a time-bound probe will be led by a retired judge. The inquiry aims to uncover the reasons behind the BMC’s failure to act, and the government has assured that officers found culpable will face strict action.
This development underscores the urgent need for stronger governance and accountability in Mumbai’s civic administration, especially in regulating urban development and tackling the growing menace of illegal constructions. The probe is expected to shed light on the deeper issues within the BMC and determine the necessary steps to ensure proper enforcement of building laws in the future.
