Mumbai: BMC’s 14-Foot Slum Action Triggers Political Storm Ahead Of October 1 Drive

Mumbai, September 28, 2026 - The Mumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) proposed action against unauthorized slum structures taller than 14 feet sparked a political controversy on Monday. Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) delegations held meetings with Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, requesting the withdrawal of the plan. The matter took center stage in a marathon debate at the BMC General Body meeting, where corporators from various parties opposed the lack of consultation with elected representatives before the decision.

Congress president Varsha Gaikwad and her party corporators questioned the BMC's transition from protecting slum structures up to 18 feet to targeting those over 14 feet. While Gaikwad did not endorse dangerous or illegal structures, she emphasized the need for due process, rehabilitation, and the implementation of SRA, MHADA, PAP, and cluster redevelopment schemes to help eligible families.

She also accused the BMC of applying development norms more strictly to the poor, while allowing leniency for affluent sections, builders, and industrialists.

Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Kishori Pednekar demanded verification of slum dwellers' eligibility based on the 2011 or latest cut-off date before any action. She also called for an urgent all-party meeting and threatened that a single slum demolition on October 1 could ignite a city-wide agitation and lead to "lock the ward offices" protests.

Mayor Ritu Tawde warned that the decision could be reversed if elected representatives were not included in the process. The meeting was adjourned without taking any action after more than five hours of debate, following Mayor Tawde's motion and an adjournment motion moved by Leader of the House Ganesh Khankar.