State govt to challenge SC ruling

The SC order also ruled that the developers keep at least six metres of space on one side of the plot to enable fire-fighting.

A senior government functionary said,“The order’s implementation would ground redevelopment projects of old and dilapidated building situated on narrow plots in the island city and the suburbs. The government has plans to challenge the ruling.”

With several cessed buildings in the island city standing on narrow plots,their redevelopment will become unviable if the order of leaving six-metre space on one side is implemented,a source added.

Last week,Municipal Commissioner Sitaram Kunte issued a circular asking his officials to implement the SC order,although the BMC has expressed the opinion that blanket implementation of the order would impact several redevelopment projects.

The Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry (MCHI),an umbrella organisation of 1,500-plus builders,has already decided to seek a review of the SC verdict.

Sources close to the chief minister said the state government was also opposed to the SC directive in the order that lays down specific norms for reconstituting the “Technical Committee on high-rise buildings”.

sandeep.ashar@expressindia.com