Despite court orders and assurances, the much-needed cemetery expansion in Deonar remains delayed, sparking concerns among local Muslim leaders.
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
MUMBAI — The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has failed to meet its commitment to develop two plots next to the Deonar cemetery, situated in a Muslim-majority area of Gowandi. Promised by November, the expansion works have yet to be completed, and the removal of debris is progressing at a sluggish pace.
Burials at the cemetery were halted in June due to a lack of space, creating a growing concern among the local Muslim community. In response to the situation, trustees of the cemetery, including Abdul Rehman alias Munna, Advocate Altaf Khan, and Advocate Shamsher Sheikh, approached the court for intervention. The High Court, expressing concern over the delay, took a strict stance and directed the BMC to reserve both plots for the cemetery’s expansion.
Following the court’s order, the BMC assured that the plots would be developed expeditiously. On multiple occasions, the municipal corporation claimed that work was proceeding swiftly to meet the needs of the community. However, as the months have passed, the reality on the ground has been starkly different. Despite the court’s firm stance, progress has been minimal, with only debris removal underway at a glacial pace.
Sanjay Phande, Health Officer of the MH East Ward, had previously assured Inqilab’s correspondent on October 17 that the cemetery expansion was well under way. He claimed that a tender had been issued for ₹9.5 crore, with the new cemetery expected to be ready within three to four months. However, when contacted for an update on Wednesday, Phande could not provide a concrete answer and declined to address the growing concerns.
Abdul Rehman, Trustee of the Deonar Cemetery, voiced his displeasure with the BMC’s failure to meet its obligations. He told Inqilab, “Whenever the court intervened, the BMC acted swiftly, but after that, their urgency vanished. The affidavit filed in court mentioned the development of a new plot and the reopening of burials, yet the debris removal work has only just begun. At this rate, it will take more than six months for the plot to be ready.”
Rehman expressed concern over the ongoing delay, recalling the difficulties faced by the community last year when families had to resort to alternative burial sites in Chheda Nagar and Nareelwadi. “We cannot afford a repeat of last year’s situation,” he said. “The closure of Deonar Cemetery has already put a strain on Rafi Nagar Cemetery, and it is only a matter of time before that too runs out of space.”
The trustee further pointed out that although Rafi Nagar Cemetery currently remains operational, the continued burden on it will soon become unmanageable. “There is still hope that the new plot will be ready by December, as promised by the BMC, but based on the current pace of work, it seems unlikely that the situation will be resolved anytime soon.”
With the expansion works now at a standstill, the Muslim community is growing increasingly frustrated. As the burial crisis continues, residents and community leaders alike are calling on the BMC to honour its commitments and deliver on the promises made under the watchful eye of the court.
“It’s high time the BMC acted with the urgency required. Every day of delay affects the community’s ability to give their loved ones a dignified burial. This matter cannot be postponed any longer,” said Advocate Altaf Khan, echoing the concerns of the local Muslim leadership.
The situation in Deonar remains dire, with the hope that the BMC will soon take the necessary steps to resolve the crisis. Until then, the community remains in a state of uncertainty, with no clear solution in sight.
