In a significant move, a city businessman and noted social worker, Muhammad Jameel Merchant from Malwani, Malad West, has petitioned the Bombay High Court to intervene in the restoration of a demolished ramp at Marve Creek Bridge, Evershine Nagar. The ramp was demolished a month ago by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), sparking widespread concern among local residents.
The plea, brought before the division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre on Thursday, challenges the legality of the demolition, labeling it as unauthorized and detrimental to the community.
According to the petition, the BMC’s actions have significantly disrupted daily life, impacting an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 local residents, including those from middle and low-income backgrounds residing in nearby areas such as MHADA colony, Ambujwadi, Jhuleswadi, Azmi Nagar, and Kharodi. The bridge, serving as a critical artery for both pedestrians and motorists since 2008, was last reconstructed in 2018.
Merchant’s petition highlights the absence of public consultation and adequate assessment prior to the demolition, including the lack of a structural audit and stability report from the civic body. The abrupt removal of the ramp not only poses an inconvenience but also jeopardizes the safety and mobility of the community.
The petition urgently requests a stay against any further demolition activities and seeks an order for the immediate reconstruction of the destroyed ramp to restore normalcy and access for the affected residents.
