Government Forms Committee To Investigate Illegal Constructions In Kalyan-Dombivli Municipality

Kalyan-Dombivli, 7th July 2023: In response to mounting complaints from residents regarding illegal constructions and the haughty behaviour of land cartels in the Kalyan-Dombivli municipality, the government has taken a significant step by forming a committee to inquire into the construction permits issued to these entities. The move aims to address the concerns raised by citizens and crack down on developers who have been constructing illegal buildings in various parts of Kalyan-Dombivli without legal permission.

In the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipality, there were 27 villages under gram panchayat limits. According to the information, land developers in the area had forged the signatures and stamps of the Thane District Council’s officials and built illegal constructions in the city over these years without legal documents. Furthermore, these developers have grabbed the reserved plots of the municipality and government lands in urban areas and started constructing illegal structures there since the last five years. All these illegal constructions are in Nandivali Panchanand, Ayre, Bhopar, Katai, Deslepada, Sagaon, Manpada, and Sonarpada limits.

Residents have expressed their dissatisfaction with the authorities’ failure to take action against these illegal constructions. It has been alleged that the land mafias have a nexus with politicians and civil officials, which provides them with a safe Ensconce against regulatory actions. This collusion between politicians and developers has hindered the municipal authorities from carrying out effective measures against these illegal activities.

Of particular concern to the citizens is the strategic placement of an illegal construction on Manpada Road, causing traffic congestion and disruptions. Despite repeated complaints, the municipal authorities have turned a blind eye to this blatant violation of construction rules, further exacerbating the frustrations of local residents.

Architect Sandeep Patil filed a petition in the Bombay High Court last year against the municipality’s inaction on these illegal buildings. In response, the municipality filed a case against 65 land mafias in Dombivli at the Manpada and Ramnagar police stations, signalling a renewed effort to tackle the issue head-on.

Additionally, Thane Police’s property department investigated and filed an 11,000-page charge sheet in the Kalyan District and Sessions Court three years ago. Currently, there are 74 accused individuals involved in this case. Additionally, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Special Investigation Team of the Thane Police have been scrutinising the illegal constructions in Dombivli over the past year.