BMC Takes Action Against Unauthorized College Structures
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's A ward carried out a demolition operation at South Mumbai's prestigious HR College in Churchgate on Saturday. This decisive action followed the civic body's determination that the college management had repeatedly failed to produce valid permissions or approved building plans for several structures on their premises.
Legal Proceedings and Failed Regularization Attempts
The demolition process was initiated after the BMC issued a formal notice under Section 351 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act on July 31, 2024. According to civic officials, the college authorities submitted their reply on August 6, 2024, but failed to establish the legality of the constructions as they could not furnish approved plans or permissions from the competent MCGM authority.
A speaking order was subsequently passed in August 2024, after which the college applied twice to regularize the unauthorized portions. Both applications were rejected by the municipal authorities.
Details of Unauthorized Constructions
The speaking order dated August 26, 2024, issued by the designated officer of A ward, declared several structures on the college premises illegal and liable for demolition and prosecution. The order specifically identified:
- A permanent shed at the terrace level measuring approximately 11.73 meters by 19.34 meters, constructed using asbestos sheets and MS pipes
- Multiple rooms built on mid-landing areas from the ground floor to the fifth floor using brick masonry
- Two mezzanine floors installed with MS channels and ladders—one inside the library on the first floor and another below the registrar's room on the ground floor
A fresh notice was served on the college about a week before the demolition action, providing final warning before the civic body proceeded with enforcement measures.
Civic Authorities' Perspective
Jaydip More, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of A ward, stated that the civic body had given the college adequate time considering it was an educational institution. "As it was an educational institute, sufficient time was given to the authorities to first regularize it and also demolish the illegal portions themselves," said More.
He added, "When they didn't act, we moved to take action on February 14." More confirmed that the illegal portions included extra rooms near staircase landings from the ground to the fifth floor, a mezzanine floor in the library, and terrace sheds.
College Authorities Express Shock and Frustration
HR College authorities expressed shock at finding BMC officials at their campus at 12:30 pm on Saturday while Higher Secondary Certificate examinations were underway. Calling the action a "deliberate attack" on the college, an official stated, "We know that these structures are 30-35 years old. As we don't have a ground, the college has covered the terrace so that students can carry out their activities. We also have some rooms in the mid landing."
The official further complained, "But we were in the process of regularizing all of this. We were not even given a 48-hour notice before the demolition." Referring to the BMC's August 2024 notice, the college claimed they had submitted all required documents except the approved plan and CFO survey.
"When we asked the BMC for the approved plans, as we don't have them, we were told that even the BMC did not have them," the source revealed, highlighting what they perceived as procedural inconsistencies in the municipal corporation's approach.
The incident has sparked discussions about municipal enforcement procedures during academic examinations and the challenges educational institutions face when dealing with legacy infrastructure issues in Mumbai's densely populated urban landscape.
