No new constructions within 500mt of jails, says panel

A committee appointed by the state government to review construction activities around city jails has decided to stop giving permission to new projects within a 500-metre radius of prisons.

No permission will be granted new projects until guidelines pertaining to construction activities within the aforesaid area around prisons are framed, officials informed.

The first meeting of the three-member panel, headed by civic chief Sitaram Kunte, was held at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters on Wednesday.

“The panel was constituted to review projects which fall within a 500-metre radius from the periphery of the jails. We have two prisons in the city — Arthur Road and Byculla jails. The meeting was held to discuss safety issues around the jails,” said Kunte, confirming no new projects will be allowed around jails until the guidelines are fixed.