Maharashtra
Illegal Constructions In Mumbai’s Dharavi Under Scrutiny: Drone Survey To Serve As Benchmark

Mumbai: All illegal constructions in Dharavi must stop immediately, a DRP official has said. A 2023 drone survey will serve as benchmark to identify existing tenements and vacant land within the Dharavi Notified Area (DNA). Any new structures or extensions built after this survey will be flagged as illegal and may not qualify for redevelopment benefits.
These illegal setups include any new upper floors, retrofitted tenements and new constructions on any vacant land in DNA to secure homes under the Dharavi redevelopment scheme. “Coordinated action will be taken by DRP & Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). If needed, DRP will consider seriously the possibility of debarring such tenements from rehabilitation package and benefits thereof,” DRP CEO SVR Srinivas said.
After decades of failed attempts, the long-awaited redevelopment of Asia’s largest and India’s most unique slum has finally begun. However, the greed of a few residents and influence of the land mafia have fuelled unauthorised constructions leading to unchecked encroachments and worsening living conditions in Dharavi.
In 2019, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had undertaken a massive demolition drive in Dharavi. The then Assistant Municipal Commissioner of G-North Ward, Kiran Dighavkar, had said that unauthorised construction was a “recurring problem”, and the BMC would identify the perpetrators as “mafia”. “We will identify them as mafia who aid in illegal construction and the police will take action against them under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act,” he had said.
In December 2023, the BMC had written to the Collector’s office requesting action against such encroachments. While notices were issued, only a few structures were demolished, highlighting the extent of the challenge.
However, real Dharavikars are eager to get on with the redevelopment and are rooting for progress. They fear that without immediate intervention like the ongoing redevelopment, Dharavi will become more unmanageable, with public health and infrastructure deteriorating further. Dharavikars are glad that the redevelopment project has finally begun.
Under provisions of current tender:
• Ground floor residents who settled in Dharavi before Jan 1, 2000, will receive 350 sq ft homes within Dharavi, free of cost.
• Ground floor residents, who settled between Jan 1, 2000, and Jan 1, 2011, will receive 300 sq ft houses outside Dharavi, at a nominal cost of Rs 2.5 lakh, under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
• All upper floor structures up to Nov 15, 2022, and ground floor tenements constructed between Jan 1, 2011, and Nov 15, 2022, will be offered rented accommodation with an option of hire-purchase outside Dharavi. They will be entitled to 300 sq ft houses.
• All new townships for ineligible Dharavikars will be built within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
“The government’s door-to-door survey, which recently crossed 50,000 tenements, marks a significant step in identifying eligible beneficiaries and ensuring a planned rehabilitation for all Dharavikars. The project’s numbers are visible now and it gives us hope,” said a Dharavi resident on condition of anonymity. “Illegal structures have made life unbearable, but proper redevelopment like this will bring order and improve our living conditions,” he added.
Residents, whether housed within Dharavi or resettled outside, will be accommodated in modern integrated townships. The goal of this massive human-centric redevelopment is based on an array of social, environmental and economic objectives with Dharavikars at its core. Officials and residents are optimistic that with structured planning and strict enforcement, the Dharavi Redevelopment Project will put an end to illegal constructions and transform today’s slum into a world-class living space.
Maharashtra
Struggle Against Land Mafia in Waqf Properties: New Amended Bill Adds to the Challenges

New Delhi : In the ongoing battle to protect Waqf properties and ensure their benefits reach the deserving, land mafias, encroachers, and illegal groups were already a major hurdle. Now, the government’s newly amended bill has emerged as another significant challenge. Advocate Dr. Syed Ejaz Abbas Naqvi has strongly criticized this move and demanded immediate reforms. He stated that the primary objective of Waqf was to benefit the needy, but unfortunately, this objective has completely failed. On the other hand, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the largest Sikh religious organization, has been actively involved in the welfare of its community for decades. As a result, the Sikh community has nearly eradicated beggars and human rickshaw pullers.
Illegal Encroachments and Misuse of Waqf Lands Exposed :
According to Dr. Naqvi, Waqf properties have suffered the most due to unlawful encroachments by vested interest groups. The most unfortunate fact is that many Waqf lands were originally donated for the shrines (Dargahs) of Syed families, but they have been grossly misused. He revealed that a well-known individual shamelessly sold an acre of prime Waqf land on Mumbai’s Altamount Road for just 1.6 million rupees, a blatant violation of Waqf principles and laws.
Demand for a Stricter Amendment in Section 52 :
Dr. Naqvi has called on the government to take strict action against those who illegally sell Waqf properties. He has urged for an immediate amendment to Section 52 of the Waqf Act to introduce
capital punishment or life imprisonment* for unauthorized Waqf land sellers. This issue is a major setback for those fighting to safeguard Waqf properties, who are already battling corrupt elements and illegal land grabbers. It remains to be seen whether the government takes these concerns seriously and enacts effective legislation to protect Waqf lands.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Cleanup Marshal and Swachh Mumbai campaign ended, fine collection from citizens also stopped, BMC helpline number released

Mumbai: Mumbai BMC has abolished the clean-up marshal policy, after which now the clean-up marshal has disappeared from the streets of the city. The Municipal Corporation has completely banned the clean-up marshal and the Swachh Mumbai Mission has been stopped. This means that now no clean-up marshal will be able to force citizens to pay fines or take any other punitive action. After complaints against clean-up marshals, Mumbai BMC has decided to stop and suspend the service of clean-up marshals from today.
The Solid Waste Management Department of Mumbai Municipal Corporation, under the Department of Garbage and Sanitation, oversees public cleanliness in Mumbai and the ‘Swachh Mumbai Mission’ has been closed from April 4, 2025. However, the Municipal Corporation administration has appealed to the citizens that if any fine has been imposed on them despite this, then they can complain about it. Complaints regarding cleanup marshals can be made to the divisional control room of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation at 022-23855128 and 022-23877691 (extension number 549/500).
Maharashtra
New India Cooperative Bank embezzlement accused’s properties attached

Mumbai: Mumbai Economic Branch (EOW) has also started property seizure proceedings in the case of embezzlement of crores of rupees from New India Cooperative Bank. EOW said that after identifying the properties obtained from the embezzled amount, it has been attached and seized. 5 accused have been arrested in this case and 21 immovable properties of these accused have been found, which have been allowed to be confiscated.
This is the first action under 107 BNSS in Mumbai city in which the property of the accused has been seized. Mumbai AOW said that the amount recovered from the seized properties will also be estimated. After the bank scam in Mumbai, EOW has taken major action and details of other properties of the accused are also being investigated.
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