17,000 illegal structures razed last year

The civic body has been dragging its feet on the issue of illegal structures in the city.

The civic body has been dragging its feet on the issue of illegal structures in the city.

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Records obtained show that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has served 3,921 notices to unauthorised constructions last year and has razed over 17,000 structures, largely slums.

Surprisingly, in six wards of the city, civic authorities have not served a single notice. Theses include D-ward (Malabar Hill), F-south ward (Kalachowkie, Lalbaug, Parel and Dadar East), F-north (Matunga), G-north (Mahim), H-east (Bandra, Khar Road and Santacruz East), K-east (Andheri East).

Only one notice has been served in T-ward (Mulund), L-ward (Kurla), R-south (Kandivli) and S-ward (Bhandup).

The highest number of notices (3,587) was issued by K-west (Andheri West) ward office and 3,124 structures were pulled down in the area. Byculla stands second with 2,340 structures demolished. In the island city, areas like Kalachowkie, Lalbaug, Parel and Dadar (East), which fall under F-south ward, the encroachment removal department has demolished only 19 structures.

Under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act section 354, a ward engineer can issue a stop-work notice to an illegal construction. The BMC then asks the developer to submit requisite documents within 30 days. After the stipulated period, the officials have the authority to demolish the structure.

But, to delay action, the ward issues a separate notice under section 54of the Maharashtra Region Town Planning Act, which says the party has to restore the structure by demolishing it at their own cost or the civic body will take action. If no action is taken, the BMC then issues a third notice.