Petition pulls down illegal bldgs

The BMC gave this assurance to the High Court in its reply to separate public interest litigations filed against the municipal commissioner, K west ward officer and owners of the buildings by the Bhrashtachar Nirmoolan Sangathana BNS, a public trust fighting unauthorised constructions in the city. The petition, however, doesn8217;t mention the owners8217; names. The petitions were disposed of by a division bench comprising Chief Justice M B Shah and Justice R M S Khandeparkar on July 15.

The petitioner Manav Joshi, in his capacity as BNS president, had alleged thatthe buildings were constructed in 1997 within 500 metres of the high-tide line, in violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone CRZ notification. The plans were not even submitted to the BMC for approval, added Joshi.Levelling serious charges of corruption against the civic officers concerned for allowing the illegal constructions to come up in the first place, Joshi alleged in the petition that no action was taken against the owners despite repeated complaints made to the BMC K west ward office.

8220;I had also made complaints in this regard to Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, but in vain,8221; Joshi told Express Newsline. He demanded that the BMC be restrained from giving water connections and other civic amenities to the residents. The petitioner had also prayed that the BMC be given directions to investigate into the matter and punish the officers concerned for their negligence.

The buildings are located on ancestral land belonging to fishermen in the Versova Gaothan area. 8220;The reasons why the BMCcannot sanction any plans for construction in this area are congestion and the CRZ demarcation. With inadequate approach roads and lack of open space coupled with the CRZ notification, construction on almost the entire Versova Gaothan area will violate civic guidelines and other regulations,8221; K West ward officer, A N Khare stated. The buildings will not be completely razed to the ground, but large holes will be made in their walls, explained Khare. 8220;As a complete demolition can affect surrounding buildings and lead to closure of the road, big punctures will be made in the walls,8221; Khare explained.

However, he pleaded inability to monitor illegal constructions proliferating in the area. 8220;We have taken action against many illegal constructions in the area, but they have been reconstructed soon after the demolition. A permanent solution seems impossible,8221; Khare stated.