Probe ordered into upcoming 5-storey building in Khotachi Wadi

Chief minister Ashok Chavan has ordered an inquiry into a five-storey structure that has come up in the picturesque cottages of Khotachi Wadi, a heritage precinct, in Girgaum.

The issue was raised in the assembly by Shiv Sena MLA and former standing committee chairman Ravindra Waikar, who questioned whether permissions were sought by the developer from the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC).

“MHCC permissions are still on hold for Byculla Zoo, so I want to know if permissions have been granted for this five-storey building in a heritage precinct. The urban development department (UDD) said the redevelopment at Khotachi Wadi is taking place under 33(6) Development Control Regulations (DCR) for cessed buildings,” said Waikar.

Following Waikar’s query, Chavan ordered an inquiry into the construction of the five-storey structure at Khotachi Wadi and said stringent action would be taken if any irregularities were found in the building.

Abha Narain Lambah, former MHCC member, who had prepared heritage guidelines for Khotachi Wadi said: “For village precincts like Kotachiwadi, Matherpakadi and Bandra village, the guidelines were prepared in 1999 and sent to MHCC for notification.

For years these guidelines have been languishing with the MHCC. Nobody is interested in notifying these buildings as there is no political will. In the process, a lot of precincts have been diluted and got lost.”