Maharashtra government should provide transit camps for the 1.5 lakh displaced: Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil

Leader of opposition in state assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil on Friday demanded setting up transit camps for the over 1.5 lakh people in Thane who became homeless after vacating dilapidated buildings.

Vikhe-Patil, along with a delegation of Congress leaders, called on chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday. Congress leaders Narayan Pawar, Bal Purnekar, Shivaji Shelar, and Kalyan Congress city unit president Sachin Pote had accompanied him.

They have sought an inquiry by a special investigation team into building collapse incidents in Thane and Kalyan-Dombivli corporation limits.

Speaking to media persons, Vikhe-Patil informed that there is unauthorised construction on 150 million square feet area in these areas and all the buildings have been constructed by utilising extra FSI of up to four. He added that even the high court has ordered these corporations to present social impact analysis, while staying cluster development in the areas.

Vikhe-Patil said the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has submitted its report but Thane and Kalya-Dombivli are yet to.

He demanded action against the Thane mayor and standing committee chairperson for being hand in glove with the builder lobby, which, according to him, has resulted in building collapses. He said there was a need for implementing cluster development scheme in these areas.

He pointed out that out of the 2,566 buildings declared 'dangerous for living', 58 have been declared 'highly dangerous' and 38 have been vacated.