The Development Control rules may be amended to restrict the construction of buildings beyond a certain height within a certain distance of the Arthur Road Jail.
Following objections, state may amend DC rules to prevent highrises near Arthur Rd Jail
MUMBAI: The Development Control rules may be amended to restrict the construction of buildings beyond a certain height within a certain distance of the Arthur Road Jail.
The move comes after the superintendent of the jail expressed concern about the proliferation of high-rise apartments around the jail, including projects by builders such as Lodha Developers.
Chief engineer (Development Plan) Ashok T Shintre said, “The DC rules currently have no height restrictions on constructions around the jail premises. Height restrictions are only there around Nehru Centre and on Marine Drive because of heritage rules. If the state government takes a policy decision, the DC rules will be amended to restrict the height of buildings around the jail.’’
Jail superintendent Swati Sathe had voiced her apprehension at the rampant construction around the jail premises. She said that according to the provisions of the Prison Manual, 1964, there is a complete ban on buildings with a height of more than 22ft within 182.88m from the main prison building.
Sathe had reason to feel concerned. The handful of schemes approved by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority has developers like Lokhandwala proposing structures not only close to the jail premises but having a height of more than 27ft.
Apart from these proposals, a luxurious 50-storey project by Lodha Developers, called Lodha Bellissimo, is coming up at Apollo Mills, a defunct National Textile Corporation facility close to the jail. Apartments in this building are being marketed at about Rs20,000 a square foot.
While there is nothing in the DC rules to prevent the structure coming up, the BMC’s Shintre said, “The developer and the architect have been directed to get a no-objection certificate from the jail superintendent.”
Abhishek Lodha, director, Lodha Developers, said, “Lodha Bellissimo does not overlook the jail. Also, the building plan has been approved by the civic body as per the DC rules.”
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}