MMRDA Orders Removal of Alleged Unauthorised Mosque Near Mumbai Airport T2

The Maharashtra Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has ordered the removal of a structure described as an unauthorised mosque at Mumbai International Airport, stating that no permission was granted for its construction near Terminal 2.

In a letter issued to Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), the MMRDA directed the airport authorities to take necessary action regarding the alleged unauthorised mosque located near the VIP Arrival and taxi stand area of Terminal 2. The authority stated that no permission had been granted for the construction of a mosque at the site and instructed MIAL to take the necessary steps for its removal.

The MMRDA’s directive to MIAL stated that no permission had been granted for the construction of the mosque near the VIP Arrival and taxi stand area at Terminal 2. The authority also referred to the notified area and said that there was no provision under the IDP for any site or plot for a public place of worship.

The August 8 MMRDA letter said the authority had received a complaint regarding the mosque located near the VIP Arrival and taxi stand area of Terminal 2. The letter stated, “MMRDA has not granted any permission for this structure/mosque. Also, there is no provision of any site/plot for public place of worship under IDP in this notified area.”

The authority further stated that under the Operations, Management, Development Agreement (OMDA), MIAL is responsible for the planning, development, construction and maintenance of infrastructure and facilities in the notified area.

The MMRDA directed MIAL to take action “in accordance with due process” regarding the removal of the said mosque from the notified area.

The issue was earlier raised by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who visited the airport premises with officials on September 3. Somaiya alleged that a mosque had been constructed without permission in the taxi parking zone near Terminal 2. He said action would be taken against the unauthorised structure and those responsible for it.

On September 8, Somaiya said in a social media post that the MMRDA had issued a show-cause notice concerning the structure and that further action was expected within two weeks.

The MMRDA’s direction to MIAL now places the responsibility on the airport authorities to initiate action for removal of the alleged unauthorised structure while following the prescribed process in the notified airport area.