Heritage committee seeks details of redevelopment projects

MHCC Chairman V Ranganathan said,“We have taken note of the circular issued by the civic body and asked the corporation to give details of such projects that have been taken up between July 31,2012 and August 14,2013. After analysing the details,we will see what needs to be done.”

BMC issued the circular,based on a letter that advocate general Darius Khambhatta wrote to Kunte dated August 5,where his legal opinion on the newly proposed heritage list was expressed.

The circular demands that despite receiving a green signal from other administrative agencies,redevelopment projects at heritage precincts and Grade III structures that are underway,will have to be put on hold and referred to the MHCC for a no-objection certificate.

Two months after the list was published last July,the municipal commissioner had said that around 300 redevelopment projects across the city could proceed,as the draft new list was yet to notified by the state government.

In the past one year,MHCC meetings’ discussions have involved a number of contentious redevelopment projects in proposed heritage precincts such as the Willingdon Colony,Khotachiwadi,Shivaji Park,Bandra Village and Marine Drive,where demolition and reconstruction of heritage properties have been allowed without the committee’s nod. The latest circular introduces an element of uncertainty,as all these projects will have to seek a no-objection certificate from MHCC now.