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A four-storey Urdu public school building in Dindoshi, Goregaon East, which was vacated nearly six years ago over structural safety concerns, remains undemolished due to an ongoing land dispute in the Bombay High Court, raising safety and law-and-order concerns among residents.

Locals say the abandoned structure in P North ward has turned into a dumping ground and a hotspot for antisocial activities, including alcohol and drug consumption. 

It didn’t meet safety standards

According to civic officials…
>> The building was structurally audited in 2020
>> Consultants found it did not meet safety regulations
>> Students were shifted to another BMC school in the same area
>> However, demolition has been delayed as the plot is not in the name of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and is currently under litigation in the Bombay High Court

Structure locked, but trespassers undeterred

>> Although the premises are now secured with gates, locks, and boundary walls, locals claim misuse persists.
>> mid-day found alcohol bottles inside the compound during a site visit.
>> A resident, requesting anonymity, said, “In the past, people carried off doors, locks and other utilities. The existing locks will not stop them from breaking in again.”

Civic concerns grow ahead of the monsoon

Residents and local representatives have raised concerns over safety risks, particularly with the monsoon approaching.

Demolition plan ready, but stalled

Officials from the BMC education department said:
>> Demolition estimate is ready
>> Cost is below Rs 25 lakh
>> The proposal will be forwarded to the ward for execution
>> However, they confirmed that demolition cannot proceed until the land dispute is resolved in court

The area’s Local representatives speak their mind

Suhas Wadkar, advocate and corporator (Ward 41, P North)
Given the rampant drug problem in the area, we will ask for locks and security personnel to be deployed at all times. The building is surrounded by residential structures, and it is best to demolish it as a priority before the monsoon’

Ankit Prabhu, corporator and member, BMC education committee
‘The neighbourhood has seen alcohol and drug issues in the past. Such abandoned structures can worsen the situation. Authorities must act swiftly and plan for another school on the same plot’

At a glance

Building vacated: 2020
Structure: Four-storey Urdu public school
Status: Locked but unused
Issue: Land dispute in the Bombay High Court
Demolition cost: Under Rs 25 lakh