Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Mumbai Demolition Drive Stalled Amid Political Opposition
Mumbai’s civic body planned to remove thousands of unauthorised structures taller than 14 feet.
Officials said the plan was meant to improve safety.
They referred to recent incidents, including a Kurla landslide and a Mankhurd building collapse.
The drive was supposed to begin on October 1.
Political parties objected and asked the municipal commissioner to stop it.
The planned action was then reportedly rolled back, but no official cancellation was announced.
Because of this, civic workers did not know whether to begin the special drive.
For now, only routine action is expected to continue.
The BMC’s proposed three-month drive targeted 39,111 unauthorised slum structures exceeding 14 feet.
The action was announced on September 19 as a safety crackdown beginning October 1.
Political delegations from the BJP, Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) urged Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide to withdraw the plan.
No large-scale demolition took place on Thursday, although no formal withdrawal order was issued.
Civic officials said routine action would continue while the status of the special drive remained unclear.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, and political representatives from the BJP, Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT).
- What
- A proposed demolition drive targeting 39,111 unauthorised structures above 14 feet was stalled amid political opposition.
- When
- The drive was announced on September 19 and was scheduled to begin on October 1; no large-scale action occurred on Thursday.
- Where
- Across Mumbai, particularly in slum areas.
- Why
- The civic administration cited structural safety risks and recent incidents including the Kurla landslide and Mankhurd building collapse.
Civic Administration
Political Parties
Safety justification
Civic Administration
The administration proposed action because of structural risks and cited the Kurla landslide and Mankhurd building collapse.
Political Parties
Representatives from the BJP, Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) opposed the proposed action and sought its immediate withdrawal.
Status of the drive
Civic Administration
Officials said they had received no subsequent instructions and were uncertain whether the special drive remained in force, was deferred or had been shelved.
Political Parties
Political delegations pressed Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide to halt the plan, after which sources said it was rolled back despite no formal announcement.
- Target structures
- 39,111 unauthorised structures
- Height threshold
- Structures exceeding 14 feet
- Planned duration
- Three months
- Announcement date
- September 19
- Planned start
- October 1
- Municipal commissioner
- Ashwini Bhide
- Current status
- No large-scale demolition occurred; the drive’s formal status remains unclear