Demolition of Illegal Buildings in Nalasopara Leaves 6,000 Homeless

Nalasopara, 29th November 2024 – Over 6,000 people face homelessness as the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) begins demolishing 41 illegal buildings in Nalasopara, following a court order. The structures, built on a 60-acre plot reserved for a sewage treatment plant and dumping ground, were developed by the now-arrested former corporator Sitaram Gupta nearly two decades ago.

On the first day of the demolition drive, seven buildings in Vasant Nagari were razed, displacing 53 families. While VVCMC officials clarified that they had no mandate or housing stock for rehabilitation, they have written to the Urban Development Department seeking assistance. Activists, however, have raised concerns over the lack of action against the builders and officials involved in the illegal construction.

The Bombay High Court had ruled that the buildings encroached on land designated for essential civic infrastructure and directed demolition. Although occupants have been advised to pursue legal action against the developers, activists like Terence Hendriques have criticized the authorities for failing to hold builders and officials accountable for the decades-long encroachment.

Despite the court's orders, the issue of rehabilitation remains unresolved, leaving hundreds of families uncertain about their future.