The Bombay High Court has urged the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to address the shortage of burial grounds for Sunni Muslims in Govandi-Deonar. Responding to a petition, the BMC assured the court of ongoing efforts to meet the demand. The court ordered the development of three identified plots by year-end, located next to Deonar colony, at Rafi Nagar, and near Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited. BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani confirmed land allocation and development plans. Additionally, a private firm, Oswal Agro Mills Ltd, agreed to provide a plot in Anik village. The BMC is working to finalize land possession and development.
The Bombay High Court has urged the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to address the lack of burial grounds for Sunni Muslims in the Govandi-Deonar area. In response, the BMC assured the court that efforts are underway to meet the requirements. A division bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar recently reviewed a petition filed by lawyer Shamsher Ahmed Shaikh and other residents, who requested additional cemeteries due to the shortage of space.
The court has ordered the BMC to develop three identified plots by the end of the year. These plots are located next to Deonar colony, at Rafi Nagar, and near Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited. On June 10, the bench highlighted the importance of providing dignified burial rights and directed BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to oversee the matter personally. On Monday, the court reviewed an affidavit from Gagrani, which confirmed that land near Deonar colony, measuring 2977.54 square metres, has been allocated for a cemetery. The BMC has been instructed to complete the development of this cemetery by December.
Development work on an additional 2264.74 square metres of land is delayed due to a pending court case related to the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme. Meanwhile, the court directed that the land be fenced to prevent encroachment. The BMC is also considering the feasibility of using a 28,526.47 square metre plot near Shivaji Nagar Bus Depot for a cemetery.
Additionally, private firm Oswal Agro Mills Ltd has agreed to provide a plot in Anik village, valued at INR 159.09 crore, for a cemetery. The BMC has agreed to provide the firm with 50% of the Transferable Development Right (TDR) immediately upon possession and the remaining 50% after property cards are transferred. The collector was asked to deposit 30% (INR 47.72 crore) as a guarantee. The BMC expects to take possession of the land within three months. The court emphasised that the firm must comply with the order to hand over the land.
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