Mumbai: More Than 250 Huts On Mahim Fort Removed

Mumbai, 20th March 2023: The 800-year-old Mahim Fort in Mumbai is now free from encroachment. As many as 267 huts on this fort have been removed by the municipal administration with the help of the police. These huts were not being vacated even after providing alternative sites. Hence, a bold campaign was undertaken by the North Division. Due to this campaign, the project preservation of Mahim Fort will be on the way.

The municipality has taken up the project to preserve the fort of Mahim. But this fort had been encroached on a large scale in the last few years. Also, part of the fort on the seaside is in a very dilapidated state, and after inspection, the fort looks very dilapidated. Therefore, living there was very risky for the residents. There is also a risk of a large number of casualties if a part of the fort or the entire fort collapses. The fort had 267 huts and approximately 3000 inhabitants. Therefore, the North Division of the municipality took action to remove the encroachment.

A survey of the huts at Mahim Fort was conducted before taking action. Notices were given to the slum dwellers and the eligibility of slum dwellers was determined as per prevailing policies of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation based on evidence/documents of their slum dwellers. Out of a total of 267 slum dwellers, 263 were qualified. Assistant Commissioner Prashant Sapkale informed that the meeting was held to rehabilitate the slum dwellers at a suitable place.

The Slum Redevelopment Authority transferred 175 flats in the transition camp building constructed in the ongoing rehabilitation project at Sairaj Guraipada in Malad, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority handed over 77 flats in the building constructed for the rehabilitation project at Bhandari Metallurgy to the municipality. Also, 11 flats in the Royal Finch building at Malvani were acquired. These flats were allotted in phases by drawing lots to the eligible affected slum dwellers.

But still, some cottagers were living in the fort without getting a flat. Due to this, the entire project was hampered and delayed. Therefore, the municipal authorities took action based on the police force. A case was registered in the nearest police station against the protesting hut dwellers.

Archaeologist Vikas Dilawari will be appointed to repair the Mahim fort and open it as a tourist destination.