In a move that has ignited significant public outcry, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) proceeded with the demolition of three illegal buildings in Versova, Andheri West, despite fervent protests from local residents.
The demolition, executed on Monday, included both under-construction and completed structures that had been flagged for violating regulatory norms.
The BMC, acting under the jurisdiction of the K-West ward, had previously issued stop-work notices and demolition orders for the structures in question. The civic body’s actions led to a sizeable protest, predominantly involving women from the Vesawe village community, who attempted to obstruct the demolition process. The situation became tense, requiring police intervention to manage the crowd. Ultimately, the intervention of Vishwas Shankarwar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (DMC) of Zone 4, and the assistant commissioner of the K-West ward, was necessary to resume the demolition operations.
According to BMC officials, the demolished buildings were unoccupied at the time of the demolition. An official from the K-West ward clarified, “A total of three under-construction buildings and one completed building were demolished.”
The controversy surrounding the demolition extends beyond mere regulatory enforcement. Local fishermen had lodged complaints with the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) about silt accumulation in the Vesawe area, which was obstructing their boat operations. Upon receiving these complaints, the MMB alerted the BMC, prompting an inspection by K-West ward officers. This inspection revealed the unauthorized constructions, leading to the issuance of the stop-work and eviction notices.
The land where the demolition occurred is designated as belonging to the State Government and falls within the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) area, where construction activities are subject to stringent regulations. “These unauthorized constructions were built in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) area,” a BMC official explained, adding that the civic body initiated the action independently, without direct orders from higher authorities.
The BMC’s enforcement of these regulations, while lawful, has been met with significant resistance from the local community, highlighting the ongoing tensions between regulatory compliance and community interests. This incident underscores the challenges faced by municipal authorities in balancing development, environmental regulations, and the livelihoods of local residents.
As the dust settles on the demolished structures, the BMC’s actions in Versova serve as a potent reminder of the complex dynamics at play in Mumbai’s urban landscape, where rapid development often collides with regulatory frameworks and local community interests. The public outcry and protests underscore the need for a more inclusive dialogue between authorities and residents to address such contentious issues moving forward.
