India, Aug. 20 -- The Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) to demolish slums, which are illegal encroachments, in Mahape MIDC within four months, which are under threat due to noxious emissions from the industrial area.

A division bench comprising chief justice Alok Aradhe and justice Sandeep Marne was hearing a petition by Mangesh Mhatre, claiming that there were illegal residential constructions in the hazardous industrial zone and sought directions to NMMC for demolishing the same. Mhatre alleged that the 168 huts in Shramik Vasti Zopadpatti (slums), near Thane Trans Creek area, are occupied by the people rehabilitated under the Valmiki Niwas Slum Scheme.

The "Valmiki Niwas" scheme is par...