A major crackdown on illegal constructions has been launched in Kalyan East Division, spearheaded by Assistant Commissioner Bharat Pawar. The demolition drive, which began last week, targets a series of unauthorized buildings and chawls across the region. In the first two days of the operation, several illegal structures were demolished, including two buildings in Adiwali Dhokali constructed by developers and a 32-room chawl in Vasara village. In addition, three land mafias have had criminal cases filed against them under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act for their involvement in illegal construction activities.
Dr. Indurani Jakhad, Municipal Commissioner, has instructed that priority be given to demolishing uninhabited illegal buildings. The drive, which is being conducted with the guidance of Additional Commissioners Harshal Gaikwad and Yogesh Godse, as well as Deputy Commissioner Avadhoot Tawade, is being executed with police security to ensure smooth proceedings. In Dhokali village, an illegal three-story building constructed by Om Sai Developers and Sanjay Shelke on Kohinoor Road was torn down, as it was deemed to be unauthorized. Likewise, a building belonging to Javed Sheikh in the same area was demolished. In Vasara village, ten illegal chawls, along with makeshift structures that were being built for further expansion, were also razed to prevent further construction.
This operation has sent shockwaves through the land mafia operating in the region. In Chinchpada, landowner Balram Kalu Mhatre, along with his partners Shivkumar Rammilan Mishra and Sagar Rammilan Mishra of Ram Developers, had constructed an eight-story illegal building named Sai Chhaya. The municipal corporation had earlier issued notices to the developers and landowners, asking them to provide relevant documentation for the construction. However, both the landowners and developers failed to appear for the hearing, leading Assistant Commissioner Bharat Pawar to declare the building as illegal. Superintendent Shankar Jadhav has subsequently filed an MRTP case against the landowners and developers at the Vitthalwadi Police Station.
In areas like Vasara, Dhokali, Adiwali, and Bhal, the land mafia has been digging multiple borewells—sometimes as many as 30 to 40 per location—to illegally source water for these unauthorized buildings. Environmentalists have raised concerns and are urging investigations into these practices. Additionally, it has come to light that the illegal buildings have been stealing electricity from Mahavitaran, with no action being taken by Mahavitaran authorities despite multiple complaints. The ongoing demolition drive in Kalyan East aims to dismantle not only illegal buildings and chawls but also any under-construction illegal structures. As the operation progresses, other areas with illegal constructions are also expected to be targeted. Developers and landowners involved in such activities will continue to face legal consequences under the MRTP Act.