HC seeks details on pipeline land encroachments

Observing that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on priority provide “clean”drinking water to citizens, the Bombay high court on Monday sought to know how encroachments could be allowed to come up on the land where water pipelines are to be laid.

Observing that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on priority provide “clean”drinking water to citizens, the Bombay high court on Monday sought to know how encroachments could be allowed to come up on the land where water pipelines are to be laid.

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A division bench of chief justice Mohit Shah and justice G S Godbole was hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the removal of slums along the water pipeline at suburban Bhandup.

"Clean drinking water has to be supplied to the city. How can encroachments come up on land where pipelines are to be laid?" asked Shah.

The petitioner's lawyer Mathew Nedumpura argued that the civic body has demolished 35 hutments and rendered people homeless in the monsoon.

The court refused to grant relief saying there were no documents to show their entitlement to the land.