Mumbai News: BMC Serves MRTP Notice To MHADA Over Illegal Chandivali Construction, Residents Demand Action After Complaint Closure

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has served a notice over the illegal structure built on public amenities space in Chandivali by Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA).

However, the residents have alleged that while MHADA has set a bad precedent by working in a reverse order, the BMC has closed the residents' complaint without any visible action.

MHADA Constructs Without Fire NOC, IOD, or CC

On June 26, The Free Press Journal had reported that the disputed civic structure, built on the land reserved for public amenities on Chandivali Farm Road, was illegally constructed without a provisional no-objection certificate from the Fire department.

The documents accessed by FPJ on BMC’s AutoDCR website had revealed that the layout plan has still not been approved as it still lacks intimation of disapproval (IOD) and commencement certificate (CC), both of which are mandatory to be obtained before commencing construction.

While MHADA is now trying to get the structure regularised following a complaint by the residents, BMC has issued notice under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) act.

However, the residents have alleged that the assistant engineer of BMC’s building and factory department has closed the complaint right after issuing the notice without any visible action in this issue.

Residents Allege Complaint Closure Without Action

The Chandivali Citizens’ Welfare Association (CCWA) has raised concerns regarding the illegal construction alleging that it has set a wrong precedent for all the future constructions to be commenced without following the legal route.

In a letter to the assistant commissioner of L ward, it alleged that the complaint has been closed without providing the copies of any notices sent to MHADA, despite repeated requests.

CCWA Flags Regulatory Violations by MHADA

The citizens’ association has demanded that the complaint should be reopened and immediate appropriate action should be initiated against the illegal construction.

It has also demanded copies of all notices issued under the MRTP Act concerning this illegal construction and the details of all actions taken or proposed to be taken by the BMC regarding this matter.

Mandeep Singh Makkar, founder of CCWA, said, "This is a blatant violation of BMC and DCPR 2034 regulations by a government agency. They are compromising the safety of the building's visitors as well as the privacy and safety of the neighboring society. MHADA is subject to the same laws as any private developer and is legally bound to obtain all permissions and adhere to all regulations but its contractor is working in reverse order by seeking permissions after building the structure which is a mockery of rules and regulations.”

Eknath Shinde Vows Crackdown on Illegal Constructions

Notably, deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, recently said in the assembly that Maharashtra government will not support any illegal construction and take strict action against officials found complicit in allowing such structures to come up.

Mumbai News: Chandivali’s Disputed Civic Structure Found Illegal As Fire NOC, IOD And CC Not Secured Before Construction

The illegal construction in question involves:

. The erection of an illegal structure without any plan approval from the BMC or the Fire Department

. Violation of development control promotion regulations (DCPR) 2034 by not leaving the mandated open spaces around the building

. The construction of a non-reinforced cement concrete (RCC) structure, which raises significant safety concerns.