Mumbai’s 17-year-long legal battle ends; Goldie Garage demolished for public garden in Versova

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday demolished Goldie Garage, an unauthorised structure in Versova, marking the end of a 17-year legal battle. The garage had occupied 201 square meters of a 7,552-square-meter plot designated for a Recreation Ground in the BMC's Development Plan.

Local residents, led by Captain Dr. Kanta Mukherjee of JVLR ALM-North, fought tirelessly to reclaim the land, aided by MLA Ameet Satam. The garage had been operating in the name of a deceased individual, in what was later discovered to be an illegal land grab. Multiple court cases, including in the Small Cause Court and City Civil Court, failed to bring resolution until the case was reopened with the help of local officials and legal support in 2020.

MLA Satam lauded the efforts of the community and officials, emphasising the importance of citizens’ active participation in such cases. Satam expressed that their efforts had been successful, and now plans would be put in place to convert the land into a beautiful garden.

BMC Deputy Commissioner Vishwas Shankarwar announced plans to fence the area to prevent future encroachments, followed by the development of a public garden. The case represents a successful collaboration between active citizens and municipal administration in reclaiming public spaces.