Say environmentalists and citizens supporting the decision to demolish building
Say environmentalists and citizens supporting the decision to demolish building
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Environmentalist and citizens have welcomed Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh's decision to demolish the Adarsh society building within three months.
MiD DAY spoke to a few environmentalists and citizens whether Ramesh should have chosen some other option out of the three (see box) that were initially thought of. 
Even though most people are happy with the decision to demolish the building, they want the culprits to be prosecuted
Interestingly, all of them supported his decision of demolishing the one lakh sq-ft building in Colaba.
Medha Patkar, founder and leader of the Narmada Bachao Andolan, who too has been running a crusade against the illegal structure, feels it to be the victory of poor citizens.
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She cited this decision to be a lesson for the bigwigs in the country.
"This has shown that it is not just the houses of poor that can be demolished but even rich can face the music," she said.
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"Adarsh not only violated CRZ norms but has also violated the environment act and grabbed the land illegally. There is still space for justice."
She also said that the bigwigs involved in the case should be prosecuted and put behind the bars. "If cops can act tough against the poor, then why should the city's top-notch scamsters be left behind?"
However, there are a few who feel that the order passed by the minister will only be on papers and practically demolishing the structure will not be possible.
"Even though crores of rupees were spent on it, the final option was to demolish the building which would have done justice to the entire nation," said Debi Goenka, a staunch environmental activist.
Kishore Jagtiani, a resident of Colaba, said, "In allowing Adarsh to stand, they would have legalised crime."
Options
Three options available with Ministry of Environment and Forests:
1) Removal of the entire structure since it is unauthorised and no clearance under the CRZ notification, 1991, was obtained.
2) Removal of that part of structure in excess of the FSI that might have been allowed had the requisite permission been sought from the appropriate authority.
3) Recommending government takeover of the building for public use to be determined later.
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