7 months ago
BMC Halts Pathway Work Near Mount Mary Steps
In Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) stopped building a pathway near the Mount Mary Steps after people protested.
The BMC thought the land was for public use, but it actually belongs to the Mount Mary Basilica.
Residents and a group called the Bombay Catholic Sabha noticed the construction and protested.
The BMC then stopped the work and removed the construction materials.
Some people want the BMC to take legal action against the unauthorized construction.
The area is important because it's part of Mumbai's history and heritage.
BMC halted pathway construction near Mount Mary Steps after protests by residents.
Land for the pathway was found to belong to the Mount Mary Basilica.
Residents and the Bombay Catholic Sabha protested the unauthorized construction.
BMC officials and police removed the construction materials and stopped the work.
Advocate Godfrey Pimenta demanded an FIR and legal action under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act.
- Who
- Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Mount Mary Basilica, Residents, Bombay Catholic Sabha, Watchdog Foundation
- What
- Halt of pathway construction work due to land ownership dispute
- Where
- Mount Mary Steps, Bandra (West), Mumbai
- When
- Monday morning
- Why
- Land for the pathway belongs to the Mount Mary Basilica, not the BMC
Key facts
- Location
- Mount Mary Steps, Bandra (West), Mumbai
- Involved Parties
- Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Mount Mary Basilica, Residents, Bombay Catholic Sabha, Watchdog Foundation
- Action Taken
- Work on public pathway halted, construction materials removed
- Land Ownership
- Mount Mary Basilica
- Demands
- Filing of FIR, case under Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act
Quotes
Lilian Pais
Member of the Mount Carmel unit of the Bombay Catholic Sabha
“A wall was being constructed on the flat area next to the steps. We gathered there for a silent protest.”
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“The land belongs to the church. I know this because I was part of the survey (to identify the church land).”
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Deepak Pallewad
Assistant municipal commissioner of H West ward
“Accordingly, we issued a work order. When our contractor went to the site, he found that the land belonged to the church. When this was brought to my notice, we stopped the work. There was no illegal construction on the site. Work was supposed to start in a few days.”
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“It is a trivial matter. There was no nuisance.”
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Godfrey Pimenta
Advocate and member of the Watchdog Foundation
“Over the past several days, unauthorised construction activities have been steadily springing up next to the Mount Mary steps, encroaching upon what is clearly designated as open/public space. This area forms part of a historically sensitive precinct and falls within a heritage zone that must be protected from such violations.”
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“The Mount Mary precinct is not just a religious landmark but an integral part of Mumbai’s heritage and urban identity. Allowing unchecked illegal construction here sets a dangerous precedent and undermines public faith in governance, heritage conservation, and the rule of law.”
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Karen D'mello
Newly elected corporator from the area
“We do not know what the encroachers were up to.”
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