The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday informed the Bombay High Court, which pulled up the Corporation for delay in action against illegal structures in Malad area, that action was not possible without police protection. The civic body said that police were busy recently with the spurious liquor case in Malwani that had claimed 103 lives. The BMC told the court that inspections were still on and it was preparing to take action. Justices A S Oka and Revati Mohite Dere were hearing a PIL by Sayyad Rizvi regarding civic inaction on complaints of illegal structures in P North ward (Malad west). [related-post] His petition said that there were 3,000 unauthorized structures, including bungalows on Madh-Marve Road and nearby areas. The court pulled up the BMC referring to its direction to the municipal commissioner in April, and said they had taken five weeks to constitute a committee to decide the number of posts needed for detecting the large number of illegal structures in the city. The committee has been directed to submit its recommendations by July 29. Commenting on the delay in action against illegal structures, the court observed, “You have prompt staff available to disconnect electricity and water supply.” Advocate General Anil Singh told the court that inspections were still on. When asked if any action had been taken, Singh said BMC was preparing to take action. “In monsoon, there is difficulty going there everyday,” said Singh adding construction takes place overnight in the area. Singh said they cannot enter the area without police protection and police had been busy with the spurious liquor case. The court had directed that police protection be extended during site visits and when demolitions are carried out. The court directed assistant commissioner of police P North ward (Malad west) to file an affidavit listing the steps taken against illegal structures. mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com
