The Thane Irrigation Department has recently pulled up the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) for failing to remove debris dumped near the Ulhas River bed in a timely manner and for its negligence regarding illegal concretisation being carried out adjacent to the river. A letter addressed by the Executive Engineer of the Thane Irrigation Department has directed the UMC to adhere to government norms and take immediate action against the illegal activities being carried out on the riverbed.
Advocate Sarita Khanchandani, an environmental activist fighting for a clean environment, had filed a complaint in 2023 against the violators with the UMC Commissioner, the Thane Collector, and several other concerned authorities.
The complaint stated that illegal construction and concretisation were encroaching on the Ulhas River bank at Regency Antilia in Shahad. The Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation is fully aware of the illegal concrete ghat project undertaken by the violators at the Ulhas River. It has also been observed that the UMC has chopped down several native trees that had naturally grown along the riverbanks.
“Google images of the Ulhas River bank clearly show that before the construction of the ghat, there was lush greenery. However, current images reveal that the greenery has vanished. The comparison between the before and after images is striking. Shockingly, the Commissioner, who also serves as the head of the Tree Authority, personally attended the Bhoomipujan ceremonies,” reads the complaint.
“These trees were crucial in preventing soil erosion, as their roots helped bind the riverbank’s soil, thereby curbing the risk of flooding. But in this case, age-old heritage trees were chopped down, leaving the riverbank’s soil loose and vulnerable to flooding. To date, no data or information has been provided to us regarding the felling of these trees,” the complaint adds.
In response to the complaint, the Thane Irrigation Department, in May 2025, instructed the UMC to act on the removal of unauthorized constructions, encroachments, and debris from the riverbed, which have become a growing concern due to urban development.
“Timely action is expected from urban civic bodies for the removal of encroachments and unauthorized dumping along the river. Accordingly, it is requested that your department take immediate and necessary action to remove these unauthorized constructions and fillings in the Ulhas River bed in connection with the complaint,” the department’s letter stated.
