Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Encroachments in Navi Mumbai' that was published in Newsband

Encroachments in Navi Mumbai

Illegal vendors armed with makeshift kitchens once again dared to encroach at NMMT's Vashi station bus depot. When the authorities were informed about this encroachment they just promised to crack the whip on the illegal vendors soon. This renovated NMMT depot has been home to illegal vendors and they leave no space for the commuters. They even keep gas cylinders which is dangerous as it is a crowded place quite close to the station bus shelter. The worst thing is these vendors are not frightened of the authorities. It is a routine for the authorities to conduct demolition drives time and again and every time after they carry out the demolition drive, the vendors appear once again at the same place.

The Bombay high court (HC) recently had rapped the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation for encroaching upon two plots owned by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) and forcibly converting them into a private garden attached to the mayor’s bungalow. Now this is another form of encroachment indulged in by the city authorities themselves. The authorities who are supposed to prevent encroachments by others, are indulging in encroachments. The bench directed the NMMC to clarify its stand on whether it wishes to return the land or pay market price for the plots.

There was a public interest litigation filed saying that public funds were used to develop and maintain a private garden for the mayor’s bungalow. The petition said CIDCO had refused permission for change of user from residential to private utilities or garden in respect of six plots admeasuring about 3,000 square metres on Parsik Hills. The court just left to CIDCO to take a call whether or not to give permission for change user of the land. At the same time, the bench also directed NMMC to file an affidavit making clear its stand about the plots – either to handover the plots back to CIDCO or pay the market price.

In the recent times, however, the anti encroachment wings of Cidco and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) have been doing marvellous job by razing many illegal structures after obtaining court orders. But yet the menace of encroachment has not lessened. The city authorities have to come up with a permanent solution to prevent encroachment anywhere in the city.