A directive was issued on Friday by Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar requiring all demarcated Koliwadas to be included in the city’s Development Plan within a period of 60 days. The decision was made a day after the government had announced that more than 25,000 buildings constructed under the Development Control Regulations of BMC, MHADA, SRA, and other authorities would be considered for occupation certificates under a new policy.
The move was widely interpreted as part of the ruling Mahayuti coalition’s electoral strategy in the run-up to the local body elections, particularly the BMC polls. The meeting on Thursday, which was chaired by Shelar, focused on Koliwadas and Gaothans. It was stressed that the government was committed to addressing this long-pending issue to safeguard the rights of Koli and East Indian communities.
According to information shared at the meeting, out of the 29 Koliwadas in Mumbai’s suburban district, 23 had already been demarcated. Among these, five had been redrawn following resident complaints, while six remained unresolved due to overlaps with tribal hamlets. It was also disclosed that three new Koliwadas had been identified during the exercise.
Concerns were raised by BJP MLA Manisha Chaudhary regarding the absence of Development Plan markings. It was pointed out that residents faced difficulties in even minor home repairs without official recognition. The communities were said to have consistently demanded demarcation, as such recognition would prevent their lands from being declared as slums, thereby shielding them from private redevelopment under SRA schemes.
It was underlined that Koliwadas and Gaothans function not only as settlements but also as centres of cultural and occupational heritage. Fishing activities such as net mending and boat docking were noted as integral to these spaces. The suspension of redevelopment projects by the SRA until boundaries were clarified was also recalled, reinforcing the importance of official recognition.
Parallel to these developments, preparations for civic elections were intensified by the BJP through the launch of “Mission Mumbai.” The campaign was said to combine major infrastructure projects such as the Coastal Road and Navi Mumbai Airport with long-pending community-related issues. A conclave scheduled for September 16, featuring Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Mumbai BJP chief Amit Satam, was announced as part of efforts to energise party cadres.
In another significant policy decision, the Mahayuti government approved the rehabilitation of 27,000 families residing in Sanjay Gandhi National Park on the same sites, arguing that relocation would severely impact their livelihoods. Senior BJP leaders highlighted that infrastructure progress under the leadership of Fadnavis could already be seen in projects ranging from metro rail lines to airports and roadways.