BMC move against multi-storey shanties faces political pushback

Mumbai: A civic action plan against illegal multi-storey slum structures has become a political hot potato. Multiple parties, including BJP, which has the majority in the BMC House, have pushed back against a three-month special drive set to begin on Oct 1 targeting 39,111 structures 14ft and taller in slums across the city and the suburbs.

While the opposition has labelled the drive “anti-poor”, BJP functionaries have said the BMC administration made the announcement without first consulting corporators.

Activists cautioned that objections to the drive could be interpreted as political patronage for illegal slums. “Instead of backing the administration’s attempt to remove illegal structures, all parties are pressuring it and protecting slums. Many ground-floor slum structures have already been regularised. If first-floor ones are tolerated too, the city will soon have slum skyscrapers,” said an activist.

Opposition parties already claimed a small win. City Congress chief MP Varsha Gaikwad said BMC chief Ashwini Bhide clarified during a meeting with her on Monday that BMC administration has not issued any order to undertake demolition of the 39,111 huts. “She made it clear that BMC is only conducting routine actions,” claimed Gaikwad.