Q:Nearly a month after nine people died in a fire in a residential structure illegally converted into a chemist's shop at Juhu Galli in Andheri, the BMC is still to take action against 129 such structures in Aram Nagar, Versova. This despite a Bombay high court order to take action against such illegal structures.TOI firsted reported about the illegal structures in its edition dated June 14.An NGO, Disha, which had surveyed the area, had gone to court over the issue. It claimed that there were 129 residential structures converted into commercial.Mehmood Shaikh of the NGO said, "After the nine deaths in a small illegal shop in Juhu galli, is BMC waiting for a similar incident to happen in Versova where hundreds of lives are at high risk? In case of any eventuality, BMC's K-West ward and the fire brigade should be held responsible."Shiv Sena MP Gajanan Kirtikar has written to the BMC, demanding razing of the illegal construction and extensions in Aaram Nagar. Citing a Bombay high court order of December 21, 2015, Kirtikar said that the court had directed BMC to raze illegal structures in Mhada colony, but added that the BMC had failed to implement it.His letter mentions: "There are illegal bars, restaurants, pubs and other immoral businesses being conducted in the area... There are illegal film studios running there as well which cause inconvenience to citizens."Assistant municipal commissioner Parag Masurkar told TOI that there 354 such structues in Aram Nagar, of which 280 have been issued notices. "Demolition is on. Every month we demolish a few structures in the area," he said.
Latest Answer: Guys, this is BMC. They only take action for major incident. Only 9 people's death is nothing for that they are waiting for 900 death. After all, it is a matter of their reputation. What people will think about BMC that they have active for just 9 death.
Q:The civic administration failed to demolish unauthorized extensions in residential structures in Aram Nagar at Versova, despite a high court order, claimed the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada).Mhada vice-president and chief executive officer S S Zende said the authority has already paid BMC Rs 70 lakh for the demolition work in Aram Nagar, a Mhada colony spread over 40 acres.“Tenants have encroached upon the open space in front and behind their row houses, built compound walls and even illegal floors. Many row houses have been converted into bungalow-like structures and the use changed from residential into commercial.As most of the encroachers are from Bollywood-related businesses, the row houses have been converted into production houses, studios, hotels and gyms,“ said a Mhada official.“Mhada has been pursuing the matter with the BMC since 2011. The BMC issued notices to the offenders, but did not take strong action,“ said a Mhada official. In March, a Mhada executive engineer wrote to K-West ward office, which covers Versova, accusing it of razing a few structures just to “show off “.On June 7, Zende dashed a letter to municipal chief Ajoy Mehta, pointing out that the high court may take serious view in this regard if action is not taken immediately . Referring to the HC order on December 21, 2015, Zende said, “The court had directed BMC to file an affidavit regarding action taken against unauthorized construction in Aram Nagar. If no effective action has been taken to comply , the court order may amount to contempt and may take serious view in this regard.“ Mehta assured that he will instruct the local ward office to take action against the illegal extensions.“In spite of Rs 70 lakh being paid to wards demolition, no effective action has been carried out by the BMC. This fact has brought to the notice of the local assistant municipal commissioner and executive engineer,“ Zende said in his letter. He also attached photographs of encroachments including a hotel, production house, coffee shop, gym, dental dispensary and a few bungalows. Zende told TOI, “All encroachers are financially sound. I wrote to the BMC to speed up the demolition work and we hope it will.“
Latest Answer: It is the duty of a local body that these kind of societies could not grow. Only they allow otherwise how can they build floor over floor and bungalow. Who are providing them electricity and water connection.
