Shashank

Mumbai Metro Line 2B Shunya Iconic Bridge, 130 Meter long, 80 Meter main long span, 50 Meter anchor span, 60 Meter tall bridge crossing over the Vakola at the BKC, MUMBAI. Architect: DFI. Promoter: MMRDA. Engineer: TGP. Civil: HCC. Status: U/C. Completion: 2025.

Mumbai may be seeing aggressive action against illegal encroachments under Devendra Fadnavis and his team, but the bigger question is: are we really solving the problem, or simply shifting it outside city limits? Because while encroachments are being demolished in Mumbai, several leaders and local networks from his own party from corporators to MPs are allegedly enabling, expanding or benefiting from similar encroachments in the outer MMR. Almost all the locations seen in these images fall under areas governed by double-engine or triple-engine governments. So the excuse of “lack of coordination” does not work here. Outer MMR belts like Titwala, Malangad, Ambivli, Ambernath and several other areas are witnessing a shocking rise in illegal slums, illegal buildings and completely unplanned settlements. Many of these places were vacant lands barely 5 to 8 years ago. Today, they are being swallowed by encroachments, land grabbing, illegal construction and open violations of town planning norms. There are Atleast 300+ illegal shops just between Katai and Badlapur This is not urban development. This is organized urban collapse. Encroachments are not being eliminated they are being exported to the outer MMR. The question is simple: are we removing illegal encroachments, or creating a new illegal city outside Mumbai?

This post has reminded me of a 'garden' being developed in Kalyan rn on a prime 2.5-acre plot and how scammy indian municipalities are. Instead of throwing in some trees on the periphery, couple sports amenities, lawn and walking track you gotta see the shit they're pulling to inflate the costs. Fuck-you sized fountain, amphitheatre, multipurpose court, excessive lighting, commercial structures. Almost no open greens and a whole lot of vertical pollution.

I was going through the KDMC DP and just realised that the land next to the new park being built on the ring road is actually designated as a planned playground. idk who put up that boundary wall, but I won't be surprised if this land gets encroached on 🥰.