Maharashtra Government to Crack Down on Unauthorized Constructions: Minister Madhuri Misal

Mumbai, 19th March 2025: The Maharashtra government is taking a serious stance against encroachments and unauthorized constructions, Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal informed the Legislative Council today. While laws exist to hold officials accountable for illegal constructions, their enforcement has been lax, with no strict action taken against any responsible officer so far. However, the government is now determined to close loopholes and implement stricter measures, Misal assured.

The issue of illegal constructions, particularly in Mumbai, was raised by multiple legislators, including MLAs Sachin Ahir, Anil Parab, Bhai Jagtap, Praveen Darekar, and Sunil Shinde, who urged the government to take decisive action. Responding to their concerns, Minister Misal revealed that Mumbai currently has 7,951 unauthorized structures, of which 1,211 have been demolished, while 2,115 cases are pending in court and 169 cases have been sent for revision as per judicial directives.

Misal made it clear that the state will not protect any unauthorized construction or negligent official. She emphasized that legal proceedings are underway in multiple cases, and while direct action cannot be taken in matters pending before the court, the government is actively exploring measures to address them.

Additionally, in a significant move, Misal announced the formation of a special committee led by a retired judge to investigate unauthorized constructions at Raghuvanshi Mill. This indicates the government’s intent to tackle large-scale violations with a more structured approach.

Despite existing legal provisions, illegal constructions continue to grow unchecked in Mumbai and across Maharashtra. Experts have pointed out that the lack of stringent enforcement and accountability has contributed to this issue. The demand for tougher action from the government reflects the urgent need for a transparent and effective system to curb encroachments.

As the government moves forward with its plans, citizens and legislators alike will be watching closely to see whether the new measures bring tangible results in controlling Mumbai’s unauthorized construction crisis.