The project has been under litigation since 1986 after a private builder entered into a developmental contract to build housing units on the land. (File Photo)

At 7 in the morning, officials and workers from the Mumbai civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), had already swung into action, launching a massive demolition drive on a land parcel in Borivali to clear illegal structures. The land parcel is reserved to construct an electrical substation for the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST).

Most extraordinary was the BMC action, coming hours after the Supreme Court ordered a freeze on Mumbai ’s municipal commissioner Ashwini Bhide’s salary for failing to remove encroachments from a land parcel in Borivali.

According to civic officials, the civic authorities removed multiple unauthorised structures, including shops, shanties and commercial units during the demolition drive.

The officials said that the land parcel will be cleared of encroachments in the next 24 hours.

“Over…