BMC's K-west ward (Andheri, Juhu) — home to several celebrities and high-profile people — has topped the list with respect to the number of illegal constructions and structures
Comedian Kapil Sharma’s office in Andheri has come under scanner for illegal construction
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC’s) K-west ward (Andheri, Juhu) — home to several celebrities and high-profile people — has topped the list with respect to the number of illegal constructions and structures. At 6,458, it has left the other 23 wards far behind.
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The ward came under scanner after a tweet by comedian Kapil Sharma, who had alleged that civic officials had demanded bribe for making his office.
“I am paying Rs 15 crore income tax from last 5 years and still I have to pay Rs 5 lakh bribe to BMC office for making my office @narendramodi,” (sic) Sharma had tweeted.
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The data compiled by the civic body and submitted before the Supreme Court in 2013 showed that from 2008 to 2013 officials had found 6,458 unauthorised buildings and structures.
As per the affidavit filed by then deputy municipal commissioner (encroachment) Anand Wagaralkar before the SC, there were 56,000 illegal constructions and structures in city till 2013.
Notices served
Documents accessed by mid-day revealed that in the last one year 44 cases of illegal constructions and structures have been detected in K-west ward with notices served to occupants under 354-A of the MMC (Mumbai Municipal Corporation) Act.
Civic officials have booked five people, of the total 44 guilty, under the MRTP (Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning) Act. As per the Act, if the owner or occupant does not stop the illegal construction, then the civic body can initiate action for removal of such structures.
Activists, however, are claiming that these numbers have increased because the BMC avoids acting on complaints, and in most cases, officials are in hand in glove with the culprits.
Sitting on the fence
Local activist and general secretary of United Congress Party Sayed Haider Imam said, “In the last three years, the number of illegal constructions must have gone up to more than 10,000, considering civic officials are not doing what they should to control such activities.”
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“The civic body has not taken action on any of the 44 illegal structures detected in the last one year. In fact, civic officials have made bogus entries of demolition… all these structures are still standing,” he added.
BMC says
Assistant municipal commissioner, K-west ward, Parag Masurkar said, “I will have to check if any court matter is pending in these cases; only then I can say why no action has been taken.”
“I will also check the status of the 6,458 illegal structures mentioned in the report,” he added. The second-highest number of illegal constructions and structures (5,432) was reported in P-north ward (Malad), followed by K-east (Andheri east, Jogeshwari east) at 5,235.
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