Cidco’s demolition drive against illegal structures hits hurdles

The demolition drive by Cidco against illegal constructions, particularly in the village areas, has come to a virtual standstill.

The strong opposition by the project-affected people, lack of adequate police protection and most importantly the announcement by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis about regularising the constructions are being cited for the action being stopped.

The land mafia has been quick to take advantage of the situation with new constructions having started in several areas.

Cidco had initiated the demolition against illegal constructions following the orders of Bombay high court last year. Sometime back, it had issued a second list of 569 illegal constructions that it planned to target. The constructions were of post 2012 period.

Cidco had planned to take action against these structures in phases. Cidco had also indicated

that it planned to target those buildings, construction of which had started prior to December 2012, but was completed later.

It had started the drive in Uran and Panvel talukas apart from Navi Mumbai. A large majority of such structures, 413, are located in NMMC area.

A Cidco official said, “NMMC’s policy on the issue is not yet clear. There is also opposition from the project-affected people, interference by local politicians and issues of availability of police personnel.”

He said, “With the chief minister stating that a government resolution will soon be issued to regularise pre-2012 need-based houses of PAP, and that the village boundaries will be decided in consultation with the villagers, we obviously have to be cautious.”

HT FILE Many illegal structures like this were razed in the past few months.