Illegal buildings in Mumbai a vicious trap

Escalating realty prices in the city and mushrooming illegal buildings — it's a vicious circle. While unscrupulous developers, politicians and local authorities take advantage of the situation and construct illegal buildings, offering buyers homes at prices much less than the market rate, the middle class doesn't mind turning a blind eye to the illegality to be able to secure a home at a lesser cost. And those who have the power to take action, just sit back and watch it all unfold.

Why does common man continue to fall prey to this?
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) periodically releases a list of hundreds of illegal buildings in the city. Such buildings are raised in haste and have no stability, according to the BMC. But in wanting a house close to their workplace, buyers ignore the fact that the structure isn't legal and opt for it.

How does this illegal business function?
There are several buildings either in a dilapidated state or in need of urgent repairs. The owners of these building and small-time developers take advantage of this and approach the BMC for the requisite permissions for undertaking repairs. Once the permissions are granted, they start adding floors to the building while carrying out repairs on the lower floors. This job is entrusted to specialised 'weekend builders'.
Several buildings on Mohammed Ali Road, Masjid Bunder, Abdul Rehman Street, Kalbadevi, Pydhonie, Nal Bazaar, Zaveri Bazaar, Nagpada and Byculla have got an additional three to five floors, which were constructed in three to four days flat.

What is the modus operandi of weekend builders?
The first step is applying for permission to carry out repairs in an old cessed building which falls under Mhada's purview, so that BMC isn't directly involved and the civic ward office only needs to be informed about it. The next step is to manage/take into confidence all those officers from Mhada and ward office who are likely to object to the illegal construction.
The weekend builders choose either the second or fourth Saturday (for carrying out the work), when the ward office is closed. All arrangements, including procuring construction material, are done by Thursday, and the work starts by Thursday night under the cover of tarpaulin sheets.
Three- and five-storey buildings are raised up to seven, nine or even 11 floors. Marble flooring, water tanks, heavy furniture and storage lofts are then put in the flats on the illegal floors, further burdening the building's foundation.

No plans submitted, no permission sought
No plans are prepared and submitted by architects to the building proposals department, no sanctions are sought for commencement or completion certificates. Every stage of illegal construction is done in connivance with civic officials.
Such buildings are not only a burden on the existing civic infrastructure like water, garbage and sewerage, considering the extra people in the illegal flats, but they also pose danger to the lives of those residing in them.

Besides developers, who else is to blame?
The biggest culprit is the building and factories department in every ward office. Activist Anil Galgali says, "It's the job of the mukadam and junior engineer of the department to keep a watch on illegal construction. Instead they often disclose the names of complainants, who are then threatened by those engaging in illegal activity. In fact, many times, the BMC itself starts proceedings against the complainant on some flimsy pretext to silence him/her."
When such buildings come crashing down, civic activists say, despite authorities being in the know that no rules or procedures were followed during construction, all complaints fall on deaf ears.
Several hotels take permission to put up temporary monsoon sheds, but they never remove them. These sheds gradually become permanent, and civic officials are paid enough money to ensure their protection. Almost all political parties and many corporators are partners in this crime.
When the building and factories department at the ward level receives any complaint from neighbouring buildings in the area, officials shoot a notice to the building in question to put it on record. This is done ensuring enough time to the culprits to approach court. The accused not only approach court but also manage to forge papers to get a stay order against BMC action.

Who mints money?
A posting in the building and factories department, which is supposed to take action against the illegalities, is highly prized as huge amounts change hands for this. While the developers make massive profits from illegal buildings, officers in the department make daily earnings. The ward officers aren't afraid because they cannot be transferred out of Mumbai, and if at all any action is taken against them it is inter-department or inter-ward transfer.

What's the scene in the city?
In South Mumbai, especially B, C and E wards, there are more than 1,000 such illegal buildings. "All this happens right under the nose of the building and factories department. Even the ward officer is aware in some cases but never takes action," said an official.
MLA of Bhendi Bazaar-Mohammed Ali Road area Amin Patel said the area is congested and the number of illegal buildings is increasing, given the rates of per square foot. "It's an open secret in the ward. Civic officials are hand in gloves with developers," he says.

Has any action been taken?
Last year, BMC commissioner Sitaram Kunte had asked his officers to survey such areas and identify illegal buildings. The order was given to all 24 wards. He had also asked the legal department to make each case watertight so that no stays are granted to such buildings. However, no report has been submitted to the civic chief as yet, which shows the involvement of ward officials.