Recently, this paper had carried a report about the ‘high-rise’ shanties of Behrampada kissing the Bandra skywalk. The report on the vertical growth of these structures had an impact with the civic authorities ordering the demolition post monsoon.

Yesterday, this paper carried a report about Cuffe Parade residents citing alarm over unchecked growth at the Machi Maar Nagar slum in the area. They expressed concern over the slum’s vertical growth, pointing out that the 26/11 terrorists landed here first. Even more alarming, say residents, is the fact that tetrapods are being taken from Marine Drive, brought by boats by the fisherfolk and then used to line the shore. In that way, they are reclaiming land and expanding. The resulting ecological imbalance is creating flooding problems in the area. The Machi Maar Nagar residents of course, deny all allegations and say that everything is legal. The report quotes them saying that they are most vulnerable, as 26/11 showed, and they are taking care that they know everybody in the slum.