Mumbai, February 12 The Bombay High Court expressed concerns on Thursday over the increasing encroachment on public roads in the metropolis, describing the situation as "grim," and remarked that residents would be forced to use bicycles and horses in the future.
A bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Abhay Mantri wondered what would become of Mumbai in the next two decades if squatting and illegal encroachments continued unchecked, and criticized the local civic body, saying it appears powerless and lacks the courage to remove them.
"If this (illegal structures) is not stopped, people will be forced to use only two-wheelers, bicycles, or horses on the roads which will be taken over by encroachers," the court observed.
The court made these remarks while hearing a plea filed by a school in the suburb of Powai, raising concerns over the alleged inaction of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) against encroachments in the vicinity of the institute.
The bench questioned the civic authorities as to how unauthorized structures could be erected on public roads, while directing the concerned deputy municipal commissioner to be present in court on Friday.
"It seems the BMC does not have the will, desire, courage, or means to remove such encroachments. The BMC is surrendering Mumbai to encroachers," the court said, questioning whether the civic body was so powerless that it would not act against encroachments.
The bench was shocked to note that the BMC had been supplying drinking water and had also parked a temporary toilet facility van at the spot in Powai where encroachers had taken over the road.
"Isn't the BMC promoting encroachments like this? This is a grim situation. If you stop giving them water and toilet facilities, they will move. But you have been giving them (facilities) on a platter," the HC observed.
The court stated that the BMC needs to address the situation of roads across the financial capital.
"Everywhere, the roads are left with only one or two lanes, and there is traffic congestion. Cars cannot move – a person walks faster than such cars stuck in traffic," it remarked.
The court noted that people have limited time on this planet, and each person's endeavor should be to keep the environment and the city in such a good condition that the next generation benefits.
"Our next generation should not say that we were callous with our city," it said.
BMC advocate Dhruti Kapadia assured the court that she would submit an affidavit outlining a timeline for the removal of the encroachments specified in the petition.
The petition filed by Beaumont HFSI School and its principal Kalyani Patnaik alleged dereliction of duty by the BMC and said that instead of removing the slum dwellers who have encroached upon the road near the institute, the civic body aided them by providing toilets and water.
Kapadia told the court that the civic body had attempted to remove the encroachers in the past, but they had turned violent and issued threats to officials.