No Permission Granted for Structure Near Mumbai Airport T2, MMRDA Directs MIAL to Take Action: BJP

MMRDA Says No Permission Was Issued

The Maharashtra Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has informed Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) that it did not issue permission for a structure located near the VIP arrival and taxi stand area of Terminal 2 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.

BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya shared details of an MMRDA communication dated September 8, saying the authority had directed MIAL to take appropriate action regarding the structure.

Structure Near T2 VIP Arrival Area

According to the MMRDA communication cited in reports, the structure is located near the VIP arrival and taxi stand area of Terminal 2.

The authority said it had received a complaint regarding the existing structure, described in the letter as a structure/mosque. MMRDA stated that it had not granted permission for it.

The issue has attracted political attention after Somaiya raised concerns over what he alleged was an unauthorised construction on government land near the airport.

MMRDA Directs MIAL to Follow Due Procedure

MMRDA has asked MIAL to take action for the removal of the structure by following the prescribed procedure.

The authority also stated that there was no provision, reservation, allocation or designation of a site or plot for a place of public worship in the notified area under the applicable planning framework, according to the letter cited by Somaiya.

MIAL Has Responsibility Under Airport Agreement

The MMRDA communication reportedly pointed to the Operations, Management, Development Agreement (OMDA), under which MIAL is responsible for planning, development, construction and maintenance of infrastructure and facilities within the notified airport area.

Based on this responsibility, MMRDA asked the airport operator to take appropriate action regarding the structure.

Kirit Somaiya Raises Political and Legal Questions

Kirit Somaiya has been vocal about the issue and had earlier visited the area on September 3 along with officials.

He has described the structure as unauthorised and has called for action against those responsible. Somaiya has also sought registration of an FIR against the trustees or individuals allegedly associated with the construction.

His description of the issue using the term “land jihad” is a political characterisation and is not an established finding by the authorities.

Show-Cause Notice Was Earlier Issued

Somaiya had previously said that MMRDA issued a show-cause notice concerning the structure.

In a September 8 post, he indicated that he expected action within two weeks. The latest communication from MMRDA to MIAL has now brought the authority's position on the lack of permission into sharper focus.

Airport Safety and Regulatory Compliance

The dispute also raises questions about construction and land-use compliance in the vicinity of a major international airport.

Structures within or around airport operational areas are subject to multiple regulatory, planning and security considerations. Any action against an unauthorised structure would therefore need to follow the applicable legal and administrative procedures.

Why the Issue Matters

Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is a critical piece of transport infrastructure, with Terminal 2 handling a large volume of domestic and international traffic.

The MMRDA's direction comes amid concerns over whether construction within the notified area has received the necessary planning and land-use permissions.

The matter is therefore not only political but also involves questions of regulatory compliance and responsibility for land and infrastructure management.

What Happens Next?

The immediate next step is expected to involve MIAL examining the structure and proceeding in accordance with the direction issued by MMRDA.

Any removal or other enforcement action would have to follow due process. The authorities may also examine the circumstances under which the structure was constructed and whether further action is warranted against those responsible.

Political Reactions Likely to Continue

The issue is expected to remain politically contentious, particularly after Somaiya's allegations and calls for an FIR.

While the BJP leader has framed the matter as an example of unauthorised construction and alleged encroachment, the administrative position currently available is that MMRDA did not grant permission for the structure and has asked MIAL to act according to procedure.

Conclusion

The MMRDA has reportedly confirmed that it did not grant permission for a structure near the VIP arrival and taxi stand area of Mumbai Airport's Terminal 2 and has directed MIAL to take appropriate action following due procedure. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who had earlier raised the issue, has demanded stronger action against those allegedly responsible. The matter is now likely to move forward through the airport operator and relevant authorities, with regulatory compliance and due process at the centre of the next steps.