Navi Mumbai: The city planner CIDCO has come under scrutiny for failing to act against illegal religious structures, including those on the landslide-prone Belapur Hill. The Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner-led committee has now called for their immediate demolition, citing Supreme Court and High Court rulings.
The state-appointed committee, which met on March 11, recorded that CIDCO had not taken any action against the temples despite an order from the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) issued on August 28, 2024.
NatConnect Foundation, which obtained a copy of the meeting minutes, urged CIDCO to act swiftly, warning that the upcoming monsoon—less than three months away—could worsen the risk of landslides due to the continuous uprooting of trees for construction. "We are not against religious structures, but they must be built in safe locations, not on landslide-prone slopes," said NatConnect Director B.N. Kumar.
The state government, through its October 21, 2025, order, has instructed municipal commissioners and district collectors to categorize illegal religious structures under three classifications—regularization, demolition, or relocation—in line with court directives.
CIDCO itself had earlier categorized the Belapur Hill temples for demolition in its submission to the MSHRC. The State Urban Development Department also filed an affidavit supporting this stance, NatConnect noted.
The MSHRC had taken suo moto notice of media reports highlighting residents' concerns over potential landslides. It summoned representatives from the state government, police, CIDCO, and the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation to address the issue.
On February 13, members of NatConnect Foundation and Save Belapur Hill Forum met with Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde, urging immediate measures to protect lives and property. The tragic landslide at Irshalwadi on July 19, 2023, which claimed over 90 lives, underscored the urgency of the situation.
Dr. Shinde, who presided over the Municipal Commissioner-led committee, acknowledged these concerns and directed CIDCO to implement landslide prevention measures on Belapur Hill. The committee also instructed CIDCO to submit monthly action reports on its progress.
Residents living below the hill have already experienced landslides, which have damaged retaining walls. With ongoing deforestation and construction activity loosening the soil, the situation is becoming increasingly hazardous, warned Kapil Kulkarni and Himanshu Katkar of the Save Belapur Hill Forum.