Locals warn politicos over illegal slums in Western suburbs

The elections might still be a year away, but residents from Borivali and Dahisar have decided to send out a clear message to political parties, that they would mass boycott politicians in coming election who will continue to aid illegal encroachments at Ganpat Patil Nagar, which has grown to be the biggest illegal slum pocket in the Western suburbs.

In fact, several resident groups from areas like IC Colony, Navagaon, Kandarpada, and Link Road have come together and initiated a signature campaign, which will be submitted to all elected representatives from the area asking them to clarify their stance on Ganpat Patil Nagar and seek commitment to resolving the issue.

The slums were built on an eco-sensitive zone, which is classified as wetlands and is under Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ). An RTI indicated that there were only 404 hutments prior to 1995 and only 1068 built between then and year 2000, but today, there are more than 15000 structures at Ganpat Patil Nagar, which continue to grow at an alarming rate destroying mangroves.

Various politicians are continuously trying to provide civic facilities to the illegal encroachers and restricting BMC from taking action against these illegal structures. An activist from IC Colony said, around 60 per cent structures are commercial in nature and are operate as shops or godowns.