Mumbai: No leeway for illegal built-up in Vakola

The Bombay High Court did not grant any relief on Tuesday to encroachments against which the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had carried out action on the busy Nehru Road at Vakola, which leads to the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road. The BMC's move was aimed at to helping easy flow of traffic and pedestrian movement.

Three shops owners, who had shop extensions on the footpath, had been demolished by the H-East ward officials on October 29.

Valiben Chadva and others had approached the court challenging the action, claiming no prior notice was issued to them before the demolition.

Advocate Dhruti Kapadia, appearing for the corporation, said, "The BMC is duty bound to carry out removal of encroachment on footpaths for public safety as per the policy, and the same was done in this case. Moreover, under section 314 of the MMC Act, there is no requirement of notice for illegal extensions outside the building line."

The shop owners by way of interim relief sought permission to reconstruct the demolished portions, considering the Diwali festival.

But the court refused to grant them relief and posted the matter for hearing on November 29. It has, though, restrained the BMC from taking further action till then.

NONSTOP WOES

The civic body’s affidavit to the high court said that severe pedestrian and vehicular traffic creates problems on Nehru Road. A journey of 5 minutes towards the highway takes nearly 20.