Pranav Birje | Senior Correspondent
Former MP Gopal Shetty Writes to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis And Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde
Borivali: Just as farmers in rural areas are permitted to build homes on their agricultural land, former Member of Parliament from North Mumbai, Gopal Shetty, has written a letter to Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and Housing Minister Eknath Shinde demanding that similar rights be granted to the sons of the soil residing in the urban areas, particularly in the Gorai-Manori region.
In his letter, public representative Gopal Shetty emphasized that building a home on one’s own land is a fundamental right of every citizen, and it is constitutionally recognized. However, it is unfortunate that even after almost 80 years of independence, many people continue to face unnecessary hurdles from the government and local self-governing bodies when trying to construct homes on their own land.
Shetty further wrote in the letter that in a metropolitan city like Mumbai, particularly in the Gorai-Manori area, local inhabitants (original residents) are still not granted permission to build homes on their own private land. This ongoing injustice is a result of the 1962 “datum line” decision by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which states that no construction should be allowed without permission post-1962.
He criticized the BMC’s outdated and unrealistic policy and expressed disappointment that the Maharashtra government has not yet taken any concrete steps to address this issue.
Shetty mentioned that after being elected as a municipal corporator, he had raised this issue in the BMC. Later, in 2004, when he was elected as an MLA in the Maharashtra Assembly, he strongly advocated during the approval of a bill that allowed construction on agricultural land in rural areas. During the late-night discussion on that bill, he withdrew his opposition upon the request of other members, leading to the bill’s passage. However, the benefit of that law remained limited to rural areas, and urban residents received no relief.
He also pointed out that a reform introduced two to three years ago permitted farmers to build homes on up to 3,000 square feet of agricultural land—but again, this applied only to rural areas. Meanwhile, the sons of the soil in urban regions remain entangled in unfair restrictions.
Currently, a large number of eviction notices are being issued to the original residents of areas like Gorai and Manori, creating a dreadful atmosphere of displacement. Moreover, additional obstacles are being created under the guise of “commercial use.” Shetty noted that during the 1995–1999 tenure of the then ruling coalition government, the late Prakash Mehta had declared the Gorai-Manori area a “Commercial Tourism Zone.” Ironically, now the same sons of the soil are being harassed under the pretext of commercial use, which is truly unfortunate.
Given this background, Shetty urged the government to pay immediate attention to this critical issue and amend the law during the upcoming legislative session in July. This would ensure justice and grant urban original residents—especially those in the Gorai-Manori area—the right to build homes on their own land.
Speaking to the media, Gopal Shetty said that urban residents should be given the same right to build homes on their land as rural citizens. If this legal right is extended to urban people, corruption could automatically be curbed. He explained that under the post-1962 building permission rules of the BMC, there is no real benefit to the government. The high fees charged by architects discourage people from seeking official permissions to construct homes. This creates an opportunity for middlemen and officials to exploit the system.
Shetty concluded by suggesting that if the BMC’s 1962 datum line is extended to the year 2011, many issues would be resolved. Not only would it help citizens, but it would also bring revenue to the government.
Sons of the Soil in Gorai-Manori Area Should Be Allowed to Build Homes on Their Own Land: Gopal Shetty
