Illegal constructions in Mumbai: Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar asks govt to submit report

Responding during the Question Hour, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assured the House that stern action would be initiated against erring officials, including assistant municipal commissioners, if found shielding illegal constructions.

He said instructions would be issued to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to prepare a category-wise list of unauthorised structures in the city and take necessary action.

“The government will not support any illegal construction. If officials are found protecting such structures, strict action will be taken against them,” Shinde said.

The Deputy CM further clarified that while several illegal structures in the Vasai-Virar region have already been demolished, some remain due to stay orders from the courts. “Those too will be removed as soon as the legal restrictions are lifted,” he said.

Shinde, however, noted that immediate action at some locations during the monsoon may not be feasible, as residents are currently occupying these structures. “After monsoon, we will take steps to remove even those constructions,” he added.

Referring to the case flagged by Alvani, Shinde informed the House that unauthorised sheds had been erected on BMC-owned plot number 256 in Vile Parle East. The civic body demolished the sheds on March 24, 2025. A subsequent complaint regarding illegal parking on the same plot led to further action, and the encroachments were cleared on June 3, 2025.

Several legislators, including Yogesh Sagar, Jitendra Awhad, Dilip Walse Patil, Varun Sardesai, Murji Patel, Ajay Choudhari, and Bala Nandgaonkar, raised supplementary questions over the issue.

Minister of State for Urban Development Sandhya Misal informed the House that action against illegal constructions is being taken under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act.

She urged MLAs to report instances from their constituencies, assuring that departmental action would follow and concerned officials would be held accountable.