PIL challenges construcion near 'heritage precinct'

MUMBAI: A residents' association has challenged in the Mumbai High Court the construction of a 15-storey building near the historic August Kranti Maidan, contending that no new construction can be allowed in areas declared as heritage precincts.

The building is being constructed after demolition of an old structure called Saraswati House.

The petitioners Gamdevi Residents Association, apart from challenging the construction of the new building through a public interest litigation, have also sought scrapping of an amendment to Rule 67 of Development Control Regulations.

The amendment facilitates new buildings in heritage precincts as it does away with the requirement that any construction proposal within the precinct must get a no-objection certificate from the authorities.

Apart from the August Kranti Maidan, a house where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay and Mani Bhavan, another building associated with the Mahatma are also located in the area.

The construction of the building is almost complete, the court was informed.

The division bench of Acting Chief Justice JN Patel and Justice VC Daga admitted the PIL yesterday, but refused to grant any interim relief. The case will be heard in due course.