While a top Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official has been quoted in the report as stating that he was ready to crack down on offenders and would be investigating why action had not been taken earlier, the situation, in a nutshell, captures much of what happens across the city.

Also read: Progress is about making changes to daily lives

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.76%

AAP 43.10%

INC 24.14%

Submit

View All In Poll

Illegal encroachments, which include adding floors, happen almost overnight in clusters in commercial and residential spaces. We suddenly see extra floors spring up in tenements despite their owners lacking permission to build them. Such activities take place with impunity and the perpetrators have little fear of the law.

Sometimes, structures are augmented because a family has expanded and this is the only way to house everyone. A loft is often built and rented out by a homeowner, who charges people for staying there. 

In commercial establishments, a loft or floor is added to store goods or even accommodate workers at times. 

Besides flouting the law, these additions are extremely dangerous, as has been witnessed during fires or in other emergency situations. 

Investigations into the matter must yield results, not just in Mumbai but everywhere where this is happening.