Adarsh had valid CRZ clearance: MMRDA official

A senior Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) official on Thursday claimed that the ministry of environment and forests had given coastal regulation zone (CRZ) clearance to the Adarsh co-operative housing society, based on which a certificate to commence construction was issued. 

While deposing before a two-member commission probing the  scam, Pradeep Yadav, a senior town planner with the MMRDA, was cross-questioned by advocate Nitin Pradhan, on behalf of PV Deshmukh, an accused in the scam and a former deputy secretary in the urban development department.

Deshmukh had allegedly misinterpreted a letter from the environment ministry as clearance for the construction of the housing society.

The MMRDA had revoked the occupation certificate (OC) in October, issued to Adarsh after directives from the environment ministry. When showed a letter, dated March 15, 2003, signed by Deshmukh, Yadav said, “In light of the contents of the letter, the decision to consider that as a CRZ clearance and accordingly process the building permission was approved by the then metropolitan commissioner (SV Joshi).”