Mumbai: Report illegal structures anonymously on BMC site soon

In a smart move against illegal construction in the city, the BMC will soon launch a new website on which citizens can anonymously report unauthorised structures with a simple photo or video.

A building in the Campa Cola compound is steeped in darkness after its electricity connection was cut earlier this year. According to the BMC, there are 55,000 such illegal structures in Mumbai. File pic

The website, and the power it lends to citizens, may be just the thing the corporation needs to tackle the 55,000 illegal structures that were recorded in an affidavit filed by the BMC during the Campa Cola compound proceedings at the Supreme Court this year.

The technology will be similar to the civic body's website that tracks potholes, which has become popular with Mumbaikars who wish to report bad roads to the authorities.

The tech-savvy system will allow citizens to make reports anonymously, ensuring that they are not bothered with threats. At present, if someone wants to complain about an illegal structure, they have to send a written complaint to the concerned ward, which could lead to their identity being revealed.

The project will be launched on a pilot basis next month, beginning with Zone I (Colaba, Byculla). If all goes well, the entire project could take off by February. The project has been awarded to Probity Software Private Limited, at a cost of Rs 69 lakh for a 15-month period.

"The company will train all 60 designated officers of 24 wards, showing them how to work with the system. If citizens can complain about illegal constructions, our concerned designated officers can get to know about them quicker and can then take action.

After the pilot project, we will know how effective the system is, and only then will we launch it in all the wards," said VP Mote, Assistant Municipal Commissioner (encroachment removal).