Minority Panel backs Hill Road heritage drive

Orders inquiry against civic officials ‘who should be held accountable’ for the skewed plan

The crusade to save three heritage structures on Hill Road, Bandra gained further momentum with the State Minorities Commission coming forward in defence of the residents.

In a report to be forwarded to the state, the commission has not only held civic authorities guilty for allowing the structures to fall into the road widening plan, but it is going as far as calling an inquiry against civic officers.

Members of the commission including Chairman Nasim Siddiqui, Vice Chairman, Abraham Mathai and the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) along with civic officials assured the residents that the issue will be resolved.

The commission also instructed Deputy Municipal Commissioner (zone 3), CR Hirekar to stall the demolition till further notice. Members said the structures have already surrendered setback area in the past for a road widening plan and it is unfair to ask for it once again.

The commission will meet Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and officials of the Urban Development Department in December asking them to remove St Peters Church, the 100-year-old Parsi Agiary and the graves and grotto at St Andrews Church from the development plan.

Hirekar said his staff will wait till orders are received from Municipal Commissioner Johny Joseph who is waiting for an inquiry report.