Bombay High Court Orders Immediate Halt to Worli Transit Camp Construction
The Bombay High Court has issued a decisive order to immediately stop all construction work on a transit camp in Worli, Mumbai, until further notice. The court's ruling, delivered on February 9, 2026, came in response to a plea by Worli Urban Development Project LLP, which challenged a stop-work notice issued by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) on December 26, 2025.
Court Uncovers 'Systematic Design' to Favor Developer
In a strongly worded observation, the bench of Justices Girish S Kulkarni and Aarti A Sathe expressed "very serious doubt" about the actions of SRA officials. The court noted that "some very disturbing facts have come to light" and prima facie observed there appeared to be a "systematic design" to favor the developer. This finding underscores the gravity of the alleged misconduct in the case.
SRA Accused of Ignoring BMC Objections
The High Court highlighted that the SRA had approved the construction of seven transit buildings on April 11, 2025, despite repeated objections from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The BMC had asserted that the land was reserved for a sewage treatment plant (STP), a critical public infrastructure project. Key points from the court's analysis include:
- The BMC's Chief Engineer wrote a letter on December 26, 2024, objecting to the transit camp, citing concerns about encroachment on STP land.
- Despite this, the SRA proceeded with approvals without referencing the BMC's claims, which the court described as "eye wash and only worth the paper."
- The court directed the SRA CEO to consider suspending engineers Rama Mitkar and DB Patil within a week for allegedly suppressing vital communications from BMC officials.
Background of the Dispute and Legal Proceedings
The petitioner, Worli Urban Development Project LLP, had undertaken a slum rehabilitation project on the Worli land, aiming to rehouse dwellers from several cooperative housing societies. The legal battle intensified after the SRA issued a stop-work notice under the Maharashtra Town Planning Act, alleging illegal construction. The court clarified that the pendency of the developer's plea would not hinder police authorities from conducting an expeditious probe into SRA lapses and the related FIR.
Court's Directives and Future Hearings
In its order, the Bombay High Court issued several key directives:
- Immediate cessation of all construction activities on the transit camp site.
- Permission for the petitioner to carry out expeditious demolition of the partly constructed camp and clearance of one building.
- A directive for the state and BMC to file affidavits regarding the legal reduction of land area initially demarcated for STP expansion.
The court emphasized that transit camps often remain occupied for years, potentially depriving the BMC of land reserved for public use. The next hearing is scheduled for February 23, 2026, where further developments in this high-profile case are expected.
