Overview
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has announced a focused demolition campaign targeting 39,111 slum structures taller than 14 feet, scheduled to run from October 1 to December 31.
- Civic data say Mumbai has 2,23,150 recorded slum structures, of which the BMC has already acted against 4,584 and issued 611 notices while asking other residents to remove unauthorised portions voluntarily.
- Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad and Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh have urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to halt the drive and demand rehabilitation before any eviction.
- BMC House leader Ganesh Khankar has said he has not yet reviewed the operation’s details and declined to comment until he examines whether court orders or specific cases apply.
- Critics allege the campaign revives contested rule changes and could enable private redevelopment, and lawyers and local groups have sent legal notices arguing rehabilitation must come before demolition and that the 14-foot rule is outdated.