Worli Worries: Locals say no action on complaint against illegal constructions on housing society boundary

Water lashes against some of the huts on the boundary

Worli residents are warning about a surge in illegal construction of huts literally jutting out into the sea. The area from Worli village and Worli Koliwada is known for its maze of lanes, sprawling old homes where history whispers in corners and crevices over the din of two-wheelers, the landmark Golphadevi Mandir and silhouettes of boats against the seashore.

The area

Said Sharad Koli, promoter and chairman of Golphadevi SRA Co-Operative Housing Society, named after the Golphadevi temple in the area, said, "Rocks that act as natural buffers against the huge tidal waves are being used in this illegal construction of huts. The modus operandi is this - we have some local strongmen who people are intimidated to confront, making a pitch. Huts are then constructed on that pitch. We are witnessing at least 15 huts all very close to the sea. Some of these huts are sold or rented out. Currently, we have 698 legal tenants registered with the SRA. These recent constructions are illegal."

Residents have sent emails, with letters as attachments drawing attention to the construction. At least three letters, two in June and one in July to the Asst. Commissioner & The Competent Authority, G-South ward, are attached to an email addressed to the Chief Minister's office. They are complaints and reminders to take action against encroachment resulting from unauthorised construction, along the boundary of the Golphadevi society.

A business

Ramesh Jaiswal, a local for 40 years, stated, "We have started a steady litany of complaints of late, but these unauthorised constructions are not very recent. This activity has been started since a few years. The belief is that those living in these huts are poor, deprived persons. Let me break that misconception. Many of these illegal structures across the cities are built in connivance with those at the top, and a gang that operates with impunity because of the power they wield in the area. The huts are given out on rent. This is a flourishing commercial business. Many of the dwellers are 10 to 12 to a hut. They come in from other states. If there is a mishap like the huts being washed away into the sea, their families have little to no recourse of holding anybody accountable, or even getting any answers."

Demolished once

Residents say that G-South Asst. Municipal Commissioner Sharad Ughade had demolished some of these huts in February 2020, finding merit in complaints and allegations but they have re-appeared. Jaiswal added, "We know some people living in these huts were evacuated during Cyclone Nisarga too last year, so these actions do show that there is validity in our claims of these being illegal and dangerous too."

The Mumbai NGO Watchdog Foundation has in an email to the Chief Minister dated July 18 drawn attention to the environmental law being violated in the Constituency of Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray. The mail reminds those addressed of the recent landslide tragedies at Chembur and Vikhroli. It adds that another tragedy may happen in Worli. Excerpts from the e-mail read:

"There are some locals who have been extending boundaries by illegally reclaiming land in Worli Koliwada. There are several unauthorized structures." The email added there have been complaints and has an attached video of waves lashing against this construction. Asking for the arrest of culprits, the email ended saying, "It is unfortunate that the violation of environmental laws is happening in the Constituency of the Environment Minister." Koli has been tweeting since May this year, asking about who will be responsible if these huts get washed away by tidal forces.
Ughade remained unavailable for comment.

Local corporator Hemangi Worlikar said, "I am aware of these unauthorised constructions. They are not just at Golphadevi but Janata Colony too in the vicinity. I have complained against these to the Ward officials. Action is taken, but we see that in a few days, construction re-starts and huts are back. We need consistent, continual action to put a stop to this, once and for all."

18 July
Day Watchdog Foundation wrote to CM about the alleged illegalities