In a sharp rebuke to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for ignoring illegal encroachments on public roads, the Bombay High Court delivered a biting oral remark. Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Abhay Mantri said that if the civic body’s lax attitude continues, Mumbaikars might soon abandon cars for bicycles and horses—even the BMC chief could end up trotting to work on horseback.

The judges' frustration boiled over while hearing a matter about a 90-feet-wide road in Mumbai's upscale Hiranandani area in Powai. The road is now choked by hutments on the footpaths, blocking schoolchildren, pedestrians, and drivers alike.

Justice Ghuge’s Oral Observations:
After looking at photos of the situation, a furious Justice Ghuge declared, "Practically four cars can pass on this road but see what has happened now...It is reduced to one lane...I wonder what will happen in the coming years... People will have to give up riding motorcycles and switch to bicycles... Or best is horse... A horse can navigate well... Imagine your Commissioner (of BMC) coming to his office on a horse, how will he look." He continued, "What is happening to Mumbai? The moment a road is constructed people come and squat there... See what you are doing to your own city... Such a beautiful road this is and what have you done to it? We can call the Civic Chief or any other officer to the court and seek an explanation from them."

Case Background: School Moves High Court
The case came up from a petition filed by Beaumont HFSI Pre-primary School in Powai, which complained about widespread unauthorized hutments sprouting along the road connecting the schools to the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR).

Petitioners Seek Removal Of Hutments:
Represented by senior advocate Naushad Engineer, the school said it had made repeated complaints and meetings with BMC officials but nothing changed."Moreover, the civic authorities are aiding and encouraging such encroachment by supplying water through their tankers and providing toilet facilities.’’

Aggrieved by the gross inaction, and in fact facilitation, the Petitioners are constrained to file the present Petition inter-alia seeking directions against the authorities to act on the complaints made by the Petitioners and to demolish/remove the unauthorised and illegal encroachments from the said Road," the plea stated.

Because four schools are nearby, the encroachments cause heavy traffic during drop-off and pick-up times, reduce the road’s width, block the footpaths, and force children and families onto busy lanes, creating a clear danger to lives.

Court Seeks Action Taken Report:
The bench gave the BMC's lawyers time to inform the court about the action taken so far and postponed the next hearing.

Case Details: BEAUMONT HFSI PRE PRIMARY AND ANR VS. MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF GREATER MUMBAI AND 5 ORS.