The civic body will publish a white paper on the ever increasing slums in Mumbai. The white paper is a document published by the authorities to disclose the exact status of a project, an organisation or a situation.
The announcement was made by municipal commissioner Jairaj Phatak following a demand by the civic standing committee on Wednesday. The committee members wanted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to tell the city the exact position of slums and encroachments in Mumbai. There are 20-25 lakh slums in the city.
The development took place during a discussion over demolition of encroachments. According to official figures, on an average 2,500 encroachments are demolished every month. “1,500 shanties and 1000 commercial establishment are demolished every month. But we don’t have the powers to stop anybody from coming to the city and hence it’s very difficult to stop encroachment,” said Phatak.
On this Shiv Sena corporator Sunil Prabhu said: “The slums in the city are increasing day-by-day and the BMC is not taking any strict action despite several complaints and requests.”
Phatak also added that it is during the monsoon that the encroachments increase, as according to the law the BMC cannot demolish residential encroachments in the monsoon.
{{/usCountry}}Phatak also added that it is during the monsoon that the encroachments increase, as according to the law the BMC cannot demolish residential encroachments in the monsoon.
{{/usCountry}}“The stand on the legality of slums remains doubtful. A report would be prepared on the number of slums that came up after and before 2000,” Phatak said.
manning the demolition sites is also a problem as the already under staffed Mumbai police cannot man the area.
“We have requested for a specialised security force so that these encroachments can be tackled,” added Phatak.