Residents Question Taxation as Illegal Homes Demolished

A humanitarian crisis has unfolded in Vasai-Virar as the civic body began demolishing unauthorised buildings, leaving 53 families homeless. The Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) razed seven of the 41 identified illegal structures following a court order. However, the affected families remain outraged, questioning why house taxes were collected if their homes were deemed illegal.

Residents, including elderly people, women, and children, spent Thursday night on the streets, exposed to the elements with no access to food, water, or shelter. Many huddled around bonfires to stave off mosquitoes and the cold. Adding to their plight, the Maharashtra state government has yet to rehabilitate the displaced families, despite a Supreme Court directive to explore relocation possibilities. One resident, whose family of six has been forced onto the streets, expressed disillusionment with political leaders, accusing them of betrayal. “During elections, politicians sought our votes with folded hands, promising protection. Now, they are nowhere to be found,” he said, vowing to boycott upcoming civic polls. Another resident voiced concerns over the systemic failure, asking, “Why did the VVCMC collect house taxes and provide utility connections if these buildings were illegal? Were the authorities asleep when these structures were constructed?” Many of the displaced families had purchased flats unaware of their unauthorised status.

One buyer, who paid ₹7.5 lakh for a flat in 2006, shared his distress “I saved every penny to buy this home. Now, my family is sleeping on the road, and I cannot afford to rent another house.” Residents allege selective enforcement, claiming that illegal constructions owned by influential individuals remain untouched. “The government must rehabilitate us; we cannot afford another home,” pleaded a vegetable seller whose belongings were thrown out during the eviction. The crisis underscores a failure in governance, with displaced families left to bear the brunt of decades of negligence and lack of regulatory oversight. The situation demands immediate intervention to provide relief and address systemic issues that allowed such illegalities to persist.