MUMBAI: The BMC will continue its routine action against encroachments but has held back from launching a special drive against illegal slums measuring 14 feet and above, which was scheduled to begin Thursday.On Sep 19, the BMC had announced a three month special drive from Oct 1, against unauthorised constructions in slum areas, with structures measuring 14ft or more in height identified for action. This announcement had drawn sharp opposition from politicians across party lines, with the BJP, UBT Shiv Sena and Congress writing to the BMC against the decision.Municipal commissioner Ashwini Bhide said, “No mass action or special drive is planned. Ward teams will keep doing their regular encroachment removal with focus on unsafe multi-storey slum structures as well as commercial structures specifically made to earn rent by following due process of law. It will be properly monitored. Additionally, special focus will be there on not allowing any new multi-storey construction.“Mumbai has a total of 2,23,150 slum structures. Action has already been taken against 4,584 structures, while notices have been issued to another 611.Action was also taken against 20 unauthorised constructions and 15 unauthorised stalls in Borivli as part of the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign on Tuesday. The action was carried out at Lokmanya Tilak Road, Market Lane and Borivli Subway Road areas of Borivli West.
