India, June 21 -- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday demolished illegal encroachments and unauthorised extensions within the premises of Vijay Vishal Cooperative Housing Society in Oshiwara, reclaiming a substantial portion of land designated to be used as recreational space.

"Of the 768 sq m of encroached space meant to be recreational space under our original building plan, the BMC has cleared nearly 500 sq m," said Nitin Shetty, a member of the society's managing committee.

The reclaimed land, originally reserved for amenities such as a garden or swimming pool, had been occupied by shops and other commercial structures. The three-building society, comprising 102 flats, had been trying to remove the encroachments...