Residents allege that local bodies do not bother to come and check the illegal structures despite repeated complaints
Residents of Kurla (L-Ward) have been voicing their concern over illegal constructions mushrooming in several parts of the ward and encroaching on Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) land along the Mithi River. Residents allege that the local ward officer has not been paying heed to the problem and that their repeated complaints fell on deaf ears.
According to the residents, most of these illegal structures are seen on civic lands and open spaces. "Several illegal structures have come up on civic lands and open spaces. But the local body does not even bother to come and check, despite repeated complaints," said a resident, on condition of anonymity.
Interestingly, some of the structures that have come up on CRZ land are meant for community facilities such as public toilets and were constructed using MP funds and through MHADA.
Even Anuradha Pednekar, former Shiv Sena Corporator, had raised the issue recently during a civic Standing Committee meet, and alleged that the Assistant Municipal Commissioner (AMC) of Kurla (L-Ward) allowed contractors to construct without obtaining a no objection certificate (NOC) from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Pednekar said that she herself gave a written complaint to the AMC and sought action against illegal constructions. "There are several structures that have come up in in the L-Ward, which have not been granted the NOC. Most of these are seen on the BMC lands and open spaces, and also encroach the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) of Mithi River," she said.
As the illegal constructions is coming up, residents have demanded that strict action be taken against officials of the various agencies involved. "When these illegal structures were under construction, we had seen banners of government infrastructure agencies being put up, although these were carried out without prior permission," said another resident.
Pednekar now wants action to be taken as per MRTP Act against the officials involved. "Even I am planning to take legal action against the officials involved in the illegal constructions. I had raised the issue before the Standing Committee and the Additional Municipal Commissioner has assured action," she said.
When contacted, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of L-Ward, Ajitkumar Ambi, said that he had received such complaints and he was verifying those with the concerned department. "I received a long list of illegal structures. Since I was busy with the elections, I could not pay attention."
He added that the structures mentioned by residents and public representatives are government ones and the possibility of any irregularity is very low. "I will still check with the concerned departments, and take action accordingly, if required," said Ambi.
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