Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule Orders Crackdown On Illegal Constructions In Thane, Mira-Bhayandar

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has issued strong directives to take immediate action against unauthorized constructions in the Thane and Mira-Bhayandar areas. He expressed concern over the growing number of new constructions being carried out without the necessary permits, while older property owners are being served notices despite making only minimal changes.

During a recent meeting held at his office in the state secretariat, Minister Bawankule emphasised that it is unfair to target old properties while allowing new illegal constructions to continue unchecked. He announced that he will personally inspect construction sites in Mira-Bhayandar and take immediate action against any violations found.

The issue was raised in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly by MLA Narendra Mehta, prompting the Minister to convene an urgent meeting to address the concerns.

Minister Bawankule criticized local tehsildars for allegedly sending notices to the wrong individuals without sufficient cause. “This cannot be tolerated. Instead of harassing old property holders, a thorough inspection of new constructions should be prioritized,” he said.

He highlighted that new construction projects require up to 18 different permissions, including ownership and RERA approvals. Authorities have been instructed to verify whether these conditions have been fulfilled.

He also referred to regulations related to minor mineral transport passes, which must be retained for only one year. The responsibility to verify ownership payments lies with the concerned officers, and those who have failed to pay must be served notices. Regular site visits are essential, and both tehsildars and sub-divisional officers must carry out their duties with due diligence.

The Minister further ordered that government-owned lands must have clear signage indicating their status and that vacant plots should be taken into possession immediately.

Lok Adalat to Resolve Complaints

To address complaints related to old constructions in the Thane and Mira-Bhayandar regions, Bawankule directed the organization of Lok Adalats for speedy resolution. He stressed the importance of resolving all disputes through this process to ensure that no grievances remain pending from either the public or their representatives.