PMO orders probe into Worli high-rise

The dispute over Har-Siddhi Heights, a high-rise on Worli Seaface, has revealed that the home and the urban development ministries of the state government are working at cross purposes. Rules laid down by the former for the sake of security, have been “flouted” by the latter.

The urban development department, led by chief minister Ashok Chavan, allowed the high-rise to come up close to the INS Trata naval base near the seaface, despite the Indian Navy not giving clearance to the project. The dispute reached the Bombay high court. There too, the urban development department justified its decision to give the high-rise the go-ahead in spite of its proximity to the naval base.

Irked by this, the navy has written to the prime minister, Manmohan Singh, asking him to intervene in the issue. Opposition party Shiv Sena, too, has dispatched a letter to the PM’s office, saying that by defending the high-rise, the state  is toying with the city’s security.
A senior PMO official said on Thursday, “Yes, we have received letters from the navy and the Shiv Sena. Both have expressed serious concern over the high-rise, situated within 300 metres of the INS Trata. The PMO took note of it, and initiated an inquiry into the matter.”

Shiv Sena MP Bharatkumar Raut said in his letter to the PM, “On behalf of the people of Mumbai and the Shiv Sena, I request you to look into the matter and seek documentary evidence to facilitate action against those involved in the racket causing threat to the city. Mumbai has already faced a cruel attack on 26/11. Security should be of highest concern for the state administration.”

An official of the state home department squarely put the blame on the urban development ministry. “Our roles are restricted to framing security guidelines. It is the ministry of urban department which takes the final call on granting permission to residential structures,” he said.

The Sena MP wrote in his letter, “As per the city development norms, a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the navy is obligatory if any civil/commercial construction is to be permitted in the vicinity of such a vital installation. Here, the navy denied issuing the NoC. However, overlooking the objections raised by the Western Naval Command, the urban development department of Maharashtra allowed the construction.”

The navy sought the help of the BEST which discontinued power supply to the high-rise. But it was restored after the urban development department justified its decision in the high court.

Raut added in his letter, “What is shocking is that Chavan seems to have taken undue interest in the matter. Principal secretary (urban development) TC Benjamin instructed the then general manager of the BEST, Uttam Khobragade, to restore power supply. Khobragade explained the navy’s security concern. He urged Benjamin to apprise the CM of the situation. Within a couple of days, he was transferred out of the BEST.”