Despite repeated actions by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), illegal construction has once again started at the controversial site near the Sai Baba Temple in Kopri village. This marks the fifth instance of unauthorized activity on CIDCO's proposed road in the area, fueling demands from locals for immediate and stringent action.

From May 2017 to September 2022, CIDCO and the Municipal Corporation took action four times against illegal structures on the disputed site, which includes two unauthorized religious places: a madrasa and a church. These constructions obstructed the proposed road development in the village extension area of Kopri.

The history of this site is riddled with controversy. The initial action in May 2017 targeted the illegal structures, but the madrasa operators rebuilt using temporary bamboo and plastic sheds in August of the same year. Tensions escalated in September 2017 when, during Ganeshotsav, children from the madrasa allegedly pelted stones at a Ganesh idol, leading to widespread unrest in the village. Following appeals for peace by then Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr. Sudhakar Pathare, action was taken again in December 2017.

Despite these interventions, brick construction resumed in April 2018, prompting further action by then Additional Commissioner Ankush Chavan. Later, RCC construction emerged on the same site, leading to its demolition by the Turbhe Encroachment Department in September 2022. A case under the MRTP Act was also registered against the owner at the time.

Now, construction has restarted yet again, reportedly facilitated by some developers. Locals are increasingly vocal in demanding decisive action from the Municipal Corporation to put an end to the cycle of unauthorized activity.

Dr. Kailas Shinde, Commissioner of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, assured, “Further appropriate action will be taken after getting information about the unauthorized construction in Kopri village.”