The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finally taken note of the indiscriminate destruction of mangroves along the New Link Road near Dahisar. On Thursday, a BMC demolition squad razed illegal sheds constructed over the green space.

A Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) skywalk contractor and two BMC road contractors were among those whose illegal sheds were removed by the BMC.

DNA had carried a series of reports in January highlighting how these units were destroying the green cover.

While the MMRDA contractor, Dhanashree Developers Private Ltd, had set up a casting yard for the Borivili skywalk, the road contractors were making paver blocks at the site. Civic officials stated that the three had rented the plots from a local and had no legal permission.

Assistant municipal commissioner Parag Masurkar said that the mangrove land was a no-development zone. "We took action after MMRDA clarified that the skywalk contractor had not consulted them before setting up the casting yard inside the mangrove land."

While the structures built by these units were razed on Wednesday, civic officials said that the contractors had been given time to shift their belongings from the area.

A criminal case under the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning (MRTP) Act was filed against the owner of the plot, Narayan Patil, said Masurkar.

The New Link Road Residents Forum, which was formed for fighting against the destruction of mangroves, alleged that the action was cosmetic. "There are illegal hotels, marriage halls, and other commercial structures, which have been constructed there. Despite complaints, the BMC has not acted against them," said Harish Pandey, forum secretary.

Sandeep Ashar/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication