Palghar Administration Demolishes 574 Unauthorised Structures in Mori Village

The Palghar district revenue administration demolished 574 unauthorised structures and houses in Mori village of Vasai taluka on September 1, intensifying its crackdown against illegal development and encroachments in the region.

The demolition operation was conducted under the direction of Palghar Collector Dr. Indu Rani Jakhar. According to the administration, the drive forms part of a wider policy to ensure compliance with planning regulations, protect public interest, and promote planned development through decisive, time-bound legal measures.

The action followed numerous complaints submitted by local citizens to the office of the Tahsildar and Executive Magistrate of Vasai. The complaints highlighted large-scale unauthorised residential, commercial, and industrial constructions being erected on private lands within Mori village.

Officials noted that enforcement action had been planned earlier but faced delays because revenue staff were assigned to critical SIR election-related duties. The pending drive was resumed on priority immediately after the completion of the first phase of the SIR exercise.

Revenue authorities determined that the targeted buildings fell under Section 52(1) of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. Formal notices under Section 53 of the Act were issued to the concerned landholders on August 14, requiring them to provide valid documentation, including land ownership records, sanctioned building plans, building permissions, and occupancy or usage certificates within a set deadline. The administration stated that no satisfactory or legally valid documents were submitted during the specified period.

During the clearance drive, earthmoving machinery including JCBs and Poclains was deployed alongside circle officers and village revenue officers (talathis). Adequate police security, including women police personnel, was deployed throughout the operation to maintain law and order.

The Vasai Tahsildar and Executive Magistrate appealed to the public not to undertake any construction work on government or private land without obtaining necessary clearances from competent authorities, warning that action against remaining unauthorised structures in the Mori locality will continue in phases.