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In a serious breach of urban planning norms, a 23-foot-wide nullah (drain) in Vasai's Kaman area has reportedly been illegally narrowed to just 6 feet, raising fears of flooding ahead of the monsoon. Concrete walls and encroachments by landowners are being blamed for the blockage. In response, the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC) has ordered the illegal constructions to be removed and the nullah to be restored to its original width. With repeated flooding complaints from local residents, the civic body has also approached police and revenue officials to ensure compliance, warning that failure to act could worsen monsoon flooding.
The Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVMC) has directed private landowners in Kaman village to remove unauthorized encroachments from a key stormwater nullah that has been narrowed from its original 23 feet to just 6 feet. The narrowing of the nullah is believed to have occurred due to concrete constructions built by landowners, which now threaten to choke the drainage system entirely. Advertisement
This drastic reduction has sparked serious concerns about monsoon-related flooding in the area, especially with pre-monsoon showers already beginning. Civic engineers say such severe constriction will not allow sufficient water flow and could lead to flooding of surrounding residential and agricultural land.
Residents have lodged multiple complaints about illegal walling and filling of the nullah, which they claim is the primary cause of waterlogging during heavy rains. Acting on these complaints, the VVMC has issued notices directing landowners to raze the unauthorized constructions. Officials also held meetings with local police and revenue authorities to ensure proper enforcement.
Revenue officials have been asked to document the violations and coordinate with police to provide necessary assistance during demolition drives.
According to the civic body, this is not an isolated case. Several natural water channels in Vasai have been encroached upon by private parties, often without official permission. In many areas, these nullahs are filled with debris or blocked with concrete, drastically reducing their capacity to drain rainwater.
Encroachments on stormwater drains have long been a challenge in MMR's outer areas like Vasai and Nalasopara. As the population and construction activity grow, unchecked building along nullahs and floodplains is making the region increasingly vulnerable to climate-related risks.
VVMC has warned that legal action, including penalties under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, will be taken if landowners fail to comply with removal orders. The civic body also plans to install signage and fencing to demarcate natural drains and prevent further encroachments in the area.
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