KALYAN: A crucial meeting was held in Mumbai on Monday at the office of Asim Gupta, Principal Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department, to review the fate of 65 illegal buildings declared unauthorized in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation area. These structures, constructed by developers who allegedly defrauded homebuyers, face court-ordered demolition, placing thousands of families at immediate risk of eviction.After the meeting, Shiv Sena MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde said that discussions centred on finding a legally sustainable relief mechanism for affected residents while adhering to judicial directives. He suggested that residents form housing societies and complete pending legal formalities, which could facilitate smoother transfer of land ownership rights to legitimate occupants. Dr. Shinde, however, pointed out several technical hurdles in the registration of societies and in updating official land records. He emphasized that registration work for more than half of the buildings could begin quickly if departments act in coordination. He also urged authorities to fast-track action against the errant developers responsible for the illegal constructions.Following his directive, the State Urban Development Department, the Thane Collector’s Office, and the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation will jointly draft a proposal to be placed before the next cabinet meeting. The meeting was attended by MLA Rajesh More, Thane Collector Dr. Shrikrishna Panchal, and KDMC Commissioner Abhinav Goel.While addressing the media, Dr. Shinde launched a sharp criticism of the Uddhav Thackeray–led Shiv Sena, accusing it of politicizing the Marathi manoos issue for electoral advantage. He alleged that when the party controlled the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, it failed to provide housing to Marathi families who lived in transit camps for over a decade. He said that the Mahayuti government has taken concrete steps to secure homes for Marathi citizens and claimed the opposition, sensing defeat, is now attempting to shift blame onto the Election Commission.
