The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has confirmed that the New Mahim Municipal School, which was shut down earlier this year after being declared structurally unsafe, will be reconstructed on the same plot by the civic body. The decision follows weeks of protests from residents and community groups demanding assurance that the civic-owned land will not be repurposed for commercial development.
A civic official stated that a detailed structural audit carried out by the BMC’s School Infrastructure Cell found the school building to be in a ‘C1’ category — signifying a “highly dangerous” structure requiring immediate evacuation and demolition. The classification was reaffirmed by an independent third-party audit conducted at the request of parents and local representatives, confirming that the structure posed serious safety risks to students and staff. The civic body’s announcement comes amid growing public distrust over the handling of educational infrastructure in Mumbai, particularly regarding Marathi-medium civic schools. Activists and parents had earlier raised concerns that such closures often lead to the land being diverted to private development under public-private partnerships, reducing space for affordable education.
Addressing these concerns, a BMC spokesperson clarified that the new Mahim school will be rebuilt entirely by the civic administration, and the plot will be used solely for educational purposes. “The reconstruction will be undertaken by BMC without private involvement. The land belongs to the public education department and will continue to serve students,” the spokesperson said. Residents also voiced frustration over delays in similar projects, including the nearby Mori Road civic school, which was demolished a few years ago. However, civic officials said that progress has resumed on that site as well. “The tender process for Mori Road School is underway and will be completed by the end of November 2025, after which work orders will be issued,” the official confirmed.
Meanwhile, students from the New Mahim School — including those from Marathi, Hindi, and English mediums — have been relocated to nearby municipal schools to ensure continuity in learning. The civic body maintained that all students have been accommodated without disruption. Urban education experts have noted that the incident underlines the pressing need for systematic audits and timely reconstruction of ageing municipal schools across Mumbai. Ensuring structural safety while retaining public ownership, they said, is vital for sustaining equitable access to education in India’s financial capital.
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