The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, also called BMC, has taken strong action against illegal buildings in Mumbai. Recently, BMC found that 45 flats were built in a place that was not meant for homes. These flats were located in Noble Tower, a tall building in Dongri. The tower has 22 floors, and six of those floors were meant to be used as parking space or for emergency purposes. However, instead of keeping them open for parking or safety, the builder created flats there. This action was not allowed by law, and BMC decided to start a demolition drive to remove them.
The flats were built without permission from the proper authorities. The building plan for Noble Tower was approved on January 18, 2010. The approved plan clearly showed that six of the tower’s floors were to be used only for car parking and for emergency refuge in case of a fire or other danger. The builder ignored these rules and made changes without telling BMC. They built homes on these floors and sold or rented them to people. This was a clear violation of the building rules, which is why BMC took steps to correct the problem.
The illegal flats were discovered last year in August 2024. A tenant living in Noble Tower filed a complaint with BMC. The person said that the floors which were supposed to be used for parking were being used as flats. After this complaint, BMC carried out a detailed investigation of the building. They checked the original plans and compared them with the actual structure. Their checks confirmed that the builder had changed the use of the space illegally. These findings gave BMC enough reason to begin legal steps against the illegal flats.
Once the violation was confirmed, BMC sent a legal notice to the builder. This notice was given under Section 53(1) of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act. The notice was sent on August 7, 2024. In this notice, BMC clearly told the builder that the illegal construction must be removed. The notice asked the builder to return the building to its approved plan. If the builder failed to follow this, BMC would take action themselves. This step was important because buildings must follow the law to ensure safety for the people who live in them.
After giving the notice, BMC waited for the builder to respond. However, nothing was done to correct the problem. Because of this, a police complaint was also registered. The First Information Report, also known as an FIR, was filed on December 10, 2024. Filing an FIR is a legal step that allows the police to start investigating a crime. In this case, the crime was illegal construction. Once the FIR was registered, the matter became more serious. This showed that BMC was determined to follow the law and make sure the illegal flats were removed properly.
The next step was to tell the people living in the illegal flats to leave. BMC sent eviction notices to all the people who were staying in these unauthorized homes. These notices were sent on February 28, 2025. The residents were given one full month to move out of their homes. BMC explained in the notice that the flats were not legal and could not remain. While this was a difficult situation for the families, the law had to be followed. If people stayed beyond the deadline, they would be removed by force during the demolition.
BMC had planned to start the demolition on April 15, 2025. However, the demolition could not start on that day. The reason was that there was not enough police support. Police protection is important during demolitions because there can be protests or angry reactions from residents. BMC did not want to take any risks, so they decided to wait. They contacted the police and asked for help in carrying out the demolition safely. Finally, the police agreed to provide the required support, and the demolition was rescheduled for April 21, 2025.
The demolition began on April 21, 2025. BMC started with the unauthorized commercial structures on the ground floor of the tower. These structures were also built without permission. To make the demolition easier, BMC cut off the water and electricity supply to the illegal flats. This step ensured that people would not stay in those flats during the demolition. It also helped prevent any accidents. The work was done carefully and with planning. BMC officers and workers followed safety rules during the process. They wanted to complete the task without causing harm to people or property.
The demolition is expected to continue for several more days. BMC has said that all the illegal flats will be removed. The goal is to return the building to its original, approved plan. Only the floors meant for parking and refuge will remain for those purposes. By doing this, BMC hopes to send a clear message to other builders and developers in Mumbai. It shows that illegal construction will not be allowed. Even if a building looks complete from the outside, if it breaks the rules, it will be demolished. This helps keep the city safe and fair for everyone.
The matter was also taken to the Bombay High Court. A writ petition was filed about the illegal flats in Noble Tower. The High Court gave a clear order to BMC in April 2025. The court said that BMC must take action as per the law. It asked the authorities to make sure that only legal structures are allowed to remain. This court order gave more power to BMC’s actions. It also made it harder for the builder or residents to stop the demolition through legal tricks. The court wanted the rule of law to be followed strictly.
The people living in the illegal flats were affected badly. Many of them said that they were not aware that the flats were illegal. They had bought or rented them in good faith. Some families had been living there for many years. They said that they spent their savings to buy these homes. Now, they are facing eviction and demolition. These residents feel that the builder tricked them. They are angry and upset but have no choice. BMC has said that it understands their pain but cannot ignore the law. The illegal flats must be removed, no matter what.
This case has raised many important questions about how buildings are made and sold in Mumbai. People are asking how such a big tower was allowed to have illegal construction for so many years. They want to know why the authorities did not check the building earlier. Some believe that the builder used his influence to get away with the violations. Others think that the residents should have been more careful before buying the flats. In any case, it shows that the system needs stronger checks. Buildings must be inspected properly to avoid such problems in the future.
Real estate experts have also given their views. They say that illegal construction is a big problem in cities like Mumbai. Sometimes, builders take advantage of people’s need for housing. They build extra flats without permission and sell them at lower prices. People buy them without knowing the legal risks. Later, when the authorities find out, the flats get demolished. This causes huge loss to the residents. Experts say that buyers should always check the building plans and approvals before buying any property. They should also check with the municipal office to make sure everything is legal and safe.
The BMC has promised to take more steps to stop such cases in the future. Officials have said that they will conduct regular inspections of buildings. They will also check if builders are following the approved plans or not. If they find any violations, they will take action quickly. The aim is to prevent illegal construction before it becomes a big problem. The BMC also wants to make people more aware. They are planning to start campaigns to educate buyers. These campaigns will teach people how to check if a flat is legal before they invest their hard-earned money.
The story of Noble Tower in Dongri is a warning for all builders and residents. It shows that illegal construction may seem easy at first, but it never ends well. The builder of Noble Tower may have made money by selling those flats. But now, the illegal work is being torn down. The people who bought those flats are facing a loss. This situation brings pain to many people. It also puts pressure on the city’s systems. That is why it is important to follow rules. Rules help keep buildings safe and the city well-planned for everyone.
This demolition case is one of the biggest in recent times in Mumbai. It involved a tall tower with many illegal flats. It also had court orders, FIRs, eviction notices, and full demolition plans. All of this was done to make sure the law is followed. It shows that BMC is serious about cleaning up the city. It also shows that no one is above the law, not even powerful builders. If buildings are made illegally, they will be removed, no matter how long they have been there. This helps protect honest citizens and future home buyers.
Now, the area where Noble Tower stands is seeing many people come and watch the demolition. Media teams are reporting the story. Locals are talking about how such a big mistake could happen in the heart of Mumbai. Many say that the people who bought the flats should be helped. Some suggest that the government should give them temporary homes or some kind of support. Others say that the builder should be punished more strictly. These discussions are going on in public and in government offices. Everyone agrees that illegal buildings are dangerous and must be stopped at the root.
As of now, BMC is continuing its work. They have said that this will not be the last such action. They are checking many other buildings across Mumbai. If they find similar violations, they will take the same steps. This means more notices, more FIRs, and more demolitions. BMC wants to make sure that Mumbai becomes a safer and more organized city. This is only possible if all buildings follow the rules. Citizens are also being asked to cooperate. If they know about any illegal construction, they are urged to report it. Together, authorities and citizens can fix the problem.