India, Oct. 18 -- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday demolished 169 unauthorised structures in Madraswadi, adjacent to the Dharamveer Swarajyarakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road Project and Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan Road in Worli. The demolition drive was carried out by the G South ward under the supervision of additional municipal commissioner (City) Ashwini Joshi, following directions from municipal commissioner and administrator Bhushan Gagrani.

At first glance, the constructions appeared to be routine encroachments. However, activists have alleged that they may have been part of a larger land-grab attempt to gain access to high-value real estate along Mumbai's western seafront.

In a report publ...