BMC demolition notice on crosses irks Bandra residents

Nearly 40 crosses around the H/W ward, Bandra have been served demolition notices by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). This move by the BMC has drawn ire from the local residents of the area.

Among these 40 crosses, one such cross is a 200-year-old heritage structure, situated on Sherly Rajan Road, Bandra (W). People living around the structure for decades say that this move is totally shocking and before going ahead with any such move, BMC should consider at least the religious sentiments of the people attached with it. Locals also requested BMC to preserve such structures rather than demolishing them.

Talking to iamin, Advocate Godfrey Pimenta, vice president, Bombay East Indian Association, claimed that this is not the first time such demolition notices have been served by BMC. She added that they have legal documents pertaining to these crosses including city surveys, property cards and information about the date of construction, which they have sent across to BMC every time such a situation arises. This time, Pimenta said they would ask Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to intervene and look into the matter. 

The BMC’s H/W ward had sent a demolition notice for the cross on Sherly Rajan Road on January 19. Iamin tried to contact the municipal corporation officials but they refused to speak on the matter.

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