Panel formed to monitor encroachments on Versova beach, Bombay HC seeks helpline no, email id to lodge complaints

Advocates Pralhad Paranjpe and Pratik Irpatgire, who raised problems faced by people visiting the Versova beach, sought direction from the state authorities to form a panel and regular surveillance. They also sought the removal of temporary unauthorised constructions.

The sub-divisional officer, Western Suburban, Mumbai, filed an affidavit in reply to the plea stating that the suburban district collector had constituted a committee chaired by the tahsildar and consisting of assistant commissioner- K/West ward, senior inspector of police, Versova city survey officer-Andheri, port officer-Maritime Board, an NGO representative and range forest officer- Mangroves Cell, Western Region.

The state’s affidavit claimed the demolition programmes for temporary structures had been regularly carried out, and the proposal for installation of CCTV and street lights was under consideration. The affidavit said committee meetings were held, and action had been taken as sought by the petitioner.

Satam, the Andheri West MLA, accepted that his prayer for the formation of the panel had been addressed and sought that action of removal of encroachment and conservation of the Versova beach should be carried out periodically, and the panel should hold its meetings regularly.

“Now that the mechanism has been set up in the form of a committee for the work of conservation of the beach, we are of the opinion that the task of conservation and monitoring of the beach can be left to the said committee,” the bench held.

The court directed the panel, through its member secretary- range forest officer, to give wide publicity, including on social media presence, to the constitution of the committee, which can be called Versova Beach Monitoring Committee.

The committee was asked to regularly undertake the task of surveillance and removal of unauthorised temporary structures. The high court said the collector would call for periodic reports regarding the actions undertaken.

“In light of the constitution of the committee and the above direction, we do not find any necessity to keep the PIL pending. Entrusting the task of conservation and monitoring of the Versova beach to the committee and the collector as above, we dispose of the PIL,” the bench held.