BMC Demolishes 27 Shops in Borivali After Supreme Court Intervention Over BEST Bus Station Land
The demolition drive cleared unauthorised commercial structures from a 3,400-square-metre plot in Borivali East. The Supreme Court had pulled up the civic administration over delays in removing encroachments.
MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has demolished 27 commercial structures occupying a plot reserved for a BEST bus station in Borivali East, following strong intervention by the Supreme Court over delays in clearing encroachments from the land.
The demolition drive was carried out on Wednesday, November 4, on a 3,400-square-metre plot along Swami Vivekanand Road in Borivali East. The land is reserved for a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus station under Town Planning Scheme-II.
Supreme Court Pulls Up BMC Over Delay
The action followed a hearing before a three-judge Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on November 3.
The court had criticised the BMC for failing to comply with its earlier directions to remove encroachments and hand over the land for the proposed bus station project. It rejected the civic body’s request for additional time and issued a show-cause notice to BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide. The court also directed that her November salary be withheld.
The court raised concerns over the prolonged delay in implementing its earlier orders.
BMC Launches Demolition Drive in Borivali East
Following the court’s intervention, the BMC’s R-Central Ward launched a demolition operation on Wednesday morning.
According to reports, around 70 civic workers and employees participated in the operation. Heavy machinery, including JCB machines and dumpers, was deployed, while police personnel were present to maintain law and order.
The civic body subsequently stated that all 27 commercial structures occupying the reserved plot had been removed.
Supreme Court Withdraws Salary-Freeze Directions
In a further development on November 4, the Supreme Court withdrew the show-cause notice and the directions concerning the withholding of Ashwini Bhide’s November salary after the BMC informed the court that steps had been taken to comply with its earlier orders.
However, the court directed the BMC Commissioner to submit a personal affidavit detailing the steps taken to implement the earlier directions. The court clarified that it was not expressing any opinion at that stage on the extent of compliance.
Long-Pending BEST Bus Station Project
The Borivali plot has been involved in a long-running legal dispute between the BMC and a private developer. In August 2025, the Supreme Court directed the developer, Parag Construction, to hand over vacant possession of the land and an administrative building to the civic body.
The proposed BEST bus station project had remained stalled amid encroachments and delays in clearing the site.
The removal of the 27 commercial structures marks a significant step towards clearing the reserved land for its intended public transport purpose.
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