Navi Mumbai: Following the news report of illegal godown encroachments on mangroves highlighted in Newsband, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) demolished illegal godowns in Jui Nagar on Tuesday, July 23. These godowns, constructed by destructing mangroves with debris, had contributed to severe flooding in the Sanpada area following heavy rains on Sunday.

The area’s inadequate drainage system, resulting in flood-like conditions with waist-deep water in Sanpada and Jui Nagar. This situation highlighted the urgent need to address illegal constructions that exacerbate flooding issues.

Land mafias in Navi Mumbai have increasingly been encroaching on mangrove areas, filling them with debris to create makeshift plains for godowns and other structures. These illegal warehouses, including scrap and coal godowns, have raised concerns about future crises in the city.

Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde promptly responded to the crisis by instructing the encroachment department to take action. As a result, the municipality deployed bulldozers to clear the illegal godowns and mitigate further flood risks.