2 hrs ago
Mumbai Slum Plan Sparks Political Storm Ahead Of October Drive
The civic body in Mumbai plans to take action against unauthorised slum structures taller than 14 feet.
The drive is planned from October 1 through December 31.
Political parties and elected representatives oppose the plan.
They say families should first have their eligibility checked.
They also want eligible residents to be rehabilitated before demolition.
Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad said dangerous structures should not be protected, but legal procedures must be followed.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Kishori Pednekar warned of protests if even one structure is demolished on October 1.
The city council meeting ended without doing any business after a long argument.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation plans to act against 39,111 unauthorised structures exceeding 14 feet.
The proposed drive is scheduled to run across Mumbai and its suburbs from October 1 to December 31.
Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) delegations demanded that Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide withdraw the move.
Opponents called for eligibility verification, rehabilitation and due process before any demolition.
The BMC General Body meeting was adjourned after a debate lasting more than five hours.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and BMC corporators.
- What
- The BMC proposed action against unauthorised slum structures exceeding 14 feet.
- Where
- Mumbai and its suburbs.
- When
- The proposal was reported on September 28, 2026; the drive is planned for October 1 to December 31.
- Why
- The BMC announced the action against structures it classified as unauthorised and exceeding 14 feet; opponents are demanding due process and rehabilitation before demolition.
Political Opponents
Civic Administration
Immediate action
Political Opponents
Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders want demolition halted until eligibility is verified and eligible families are rehabilitated.
Civic Administration
The BMC announced a drive targeting unauthorised structures exceeding 14 feet from October 1 to December 31.
Height limit
Political Opponents
Congress questioned the shift from protecting structures up to 18 feet to targeting those above 14 feet.
Civic Administration
The announced civic action uses 14 feet as the threshold for the structures under scrutiny.
Role of elected representatives
Political Opponents
Corporators said they were not consulted and demanded an urgent all-party meeting; Mayor Ritu Tawde said the decision could be overturned if representatives were not taken into confidence.
Civic Administration
The General Body meeting was adjourned after the commissioner did not attend, and the proposed action remained under dispute.
Key facts
- Structures targeted
- 39,111 unauthorised structures exceeding 14 feet
- Planned drive
- October 1 to December 31
- Area
- Mumbai and its suburbs
- Previous protection level cited
- Slum structures up to 18 feet
- Municipal commissioner
- Ashwini Bhide
- General Body debate
- More than five hours
- Proposed opposition action
- Kishori Pednekar warned of citywide agitation and a possible lock-ward-offices protest
Quotes
Ritu Tawde
Mayor of Mumbai and presiding officer of the BMC General Body meeting
“Despite calling for the meeting, the commissioner has not attended. If the administration does not want to take us into confidence, we will overturn the decision.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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