First building in Dharavi revamp hits height hurdle

“About 10 days ago,we got the approval allowing us to construct up to 56 metres. Now,we will appeal to the Ministry of Civil Aviation in Delhi to allow it for a height of 75 metres. Getting the clearance should not be a major problem since there is a private building in the vicinity for which the ministry has permitted a height of more than 80 metres,” said Niranjankumar Sudhanshu,chief officer of MHADA’s Mumbai board,said.

Buildings coming up in proximity to the airport have to get a ‘No Objection Certificate’ for a height clearance from the Airport Authority of India to ensure airspace around airports is free of any obstacles and highrises do not interfere with radar signals or flight paths. The site on which the building is being constructed falls within a five-kilometre radius from the airport.

A senior MHADA official had earlier said they were trying to complete the building’s construction by December since the Lok Sabha and state elections are scheduled early next year. However,with the height clearance still awaited,the construction is expected to be completed only by early next year.

MHADA had started the construction of this building,contracted to BG Shirke Construction Technology Private Limited,in December last year. Sudhanshu said eighth floors are ready.

The housing board is also in the process of applying for an environment clearance to start the construction of the second building in Sector 5,which will sprawl over 65 hectares,of which roughly 24 hectares is developable.