BMC Starts Demolition of Illegal Structures in Kandivali for Magathane-Goregaon Road

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started the demolition of illegal residential structures in Kandivali’s Singh Estate to make way for the long-awaited 120ft development plan (DP) road from Magathane to Goregaon. While the migration of 47 project affected persons (PAPs) is already underway, the proposal to reserve 120 PAPs is in the final stage of approval with the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA).

On October 1, 2024, The Free Press Journal reported that the BMC rejected the chief minister’s direction to realign the proposed 120ft DP road to save the slum structures in Singh Estate, stating that the realignment was technically not possible. The BMC chief had passed the order while hearing Lokhandwala Township residents’ petition, which was forwarded by the Bombay High Court. The proposed plan has been implemented, and most of the road has already been constructed.

After a six-month delay following its own order, the BMC finally held a lottery for the allotment of 47 residential PAPs in Bitcon Infrastructure’s project in Kandivali (E)’s Poisar Village, in the first phase. The new residences were allotted to the PAPs, and the civic body began the demolition work of illegal structures in Singh Estate on Wednesday. This action was prompted by the Lokhandwala Residents’ Association (LRA)’s letters from April to September 8, requesting a time-bound implementation of the DP road.

The demolition of 47 structures in Singh Estate is expected to be completed by October 2. The civic body has also sent a proposal to reserve 120 PAPs in Suhas Modi building in Kandivali (E)’s Ashok Nagar to the SRA and is awaiting final approval. After receiving the PAPs from the slum authority, a lottery will be conducted for the remaining PAPs. Additionally, BMC has sent a proposal to the SRA for reserving 38 PAPs generated in the PATON building in Lokhandwala Township, following approval from the civic chief. According to the assistant engineer, the process will continue over the next two months.

LRA founders Rajiv Kashyap and Shishir Vivekanand Shetty, who filed the petition, received the DP Road Implementation order in October 2024, with the hope of execution within six months. After realizing the time taken for the process, LRA started rigorously following up with the BMC with systematic documentation from April to ensure time-bound implementation of the DP road.

Kashyap stated, “It is incorrect to assume that once the order is passed by the honorable high court, the rest of the process automatically follows. The actual hardship begins only after the order. One has to consistently follow up with the BMC to ensure the saving of time and quicker implementation. We have found success so far only due to biweekly discussions and documented follow-ups.”

Shetty added, “We had to ensure that our affected neighbors of Singh Estate got the best of the PAPs available to them because it is very difficult for anyone to let go of their homes where they have been living for the past four decades. Hence, we made sure that all such requests made by them were never objected to by us, by keeping the right kind of patience and rigorous follow-up. Such matters are sensitive, and human emotions have to be respected. The plan given by the R/South ward is more or less on track, and we are hopeful to see the road being built by January 2026.”

The demolition and relocation process is expected to be completed by the end of October, with the road project expected to be ready by January 2026.