Bombay HC demands action against illegal construction in Navi Mumbai

The Bombay High Court, situated in India, has issued a stern warning to the planning authorities of Navi Mumbai regarding their failure to address rampant illegal construction. This situation, which has progressively worsened since the court's judgment on November 4, 2018, has resulted in significant hardships for urban residents. The court's bench asserted that it would pursue contempt proceedings if the authorities did not comply with the directive to mitigate illegal structures and eliminate future constructions that violate regulations. As part of its directive, the court emphasized the establishment of a grievance redressal committee where citizens could officially report illegal constructions. This measure aims to enhance accountability and coordination among local authorities, such as NMMC, MIDC, and CIDCO, which have been urged to improve their engagement with urban issues. The authorities had previously claimed to be taking regular actions, but the court expressed skepticism regarding their genuine commitment to addressing the matter. Furthermore, the court noted that an affidavit filed by NMMC highlighted 6,565 illegal constructions within the jurisdiction. The affidavit mentioned partial demolitions but indicated that law enforcement support was insufficient, with only 28 police officers available when 78 were required. In response, the court instructed the State Advocate General to pursue adequate police staffing within three months. This overall scenario accentuates the existing conflicts in urban planning and the necessity for proactive measures by government bodies to promote structured development in Navi Mumbai. The court's decrees underscore the critical need for effective governance to combat haphazard urbanization.