BEST denies allowing plot dereservation

“In 2004,the state government wanted us to hand over a piece of land reserved for a BEST depot to Adarsh CHS. In reply,we gave our remarks and suggestions. But this was misunderstood as an NOC.”

A state government-owned plot measuring 21,139 sq metres was reserved for the Backbay bus depot as per the Development Plan and was handed over to the BEST in 1973. A depot has been functional on the land since 1976. In 2004,the state government informed BEST that following a government resolution dated January 24 ,2008,3758.82 sq metres of this land had been handed over to Adarsh for residential development. The society then approached the state government,requesting it to allow them to utilise the FSI of this BEST plot,being used as an access road by buses in and out of the depot,for residential development.

The government then asked the BEST to offer its remarks in response to the society’s request. In its reply,BEST said,“The subject plot,which is included in the bus depot,is an access to the depot and the said access would be required by the BEST in the future. By keeping this fact unchanged and also maintaining the present width of plot of 44.4 m and by safeguarding BEST’s interest,the state may take suitable decision as regards the request made by Adarsh.”

Kshatriya said this letter only gave the remarks of BEST and it should not have been treated as an NOC by the state government for granting the additional FSI.