Thane civic body demolishes 33 illegal buildings, maximum in Diva

Thane, Jun 23 (PTI) The Thane Municipal Corporation has demolished 30 illegal structures in nine administrative wards in line with directives of the Bombay High Court, civic officials said on Monday.

The demolitions took place in Naupada-Kopri, Diva, Mumbra, Kalwa, Uthalsar, Majivda-Manpada, Vartak Nagar, Lokmanya Nagar and Wagle Estate, an official said.

In Diva ward, of the 17 illegal buildings identified, 13 have now been demolished, the official said.

Two more buildings were brought down on Sunday amidst some local resistance, prompting authorities to carry out the operation under full police protection.

A case was also registered under Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act for an unauthorized structure in Lokmanya Nagar-Savarkar Nagar ward, he added.

"The action is part of a continuing drive to identify and remove illegal structures in all nine ward committees. The drive targeted a wide range of illegal construction activities ranging from complete buildings and column erections to plinth works and additional structures," he said.

Unoccupied buildings and those still under construction were among the primary targets for demolition, said TMC deputy commissioner (encroachment) Shankar Patole.

Earlier, 33 structures were demolished, taking the total to 63, he said.

With beat inspectors continuing surveys and field verification, more demolitions may follow in the coming weeks, a TMC release said. PTI COR BNM