Mumbai: Rs 87 crore fine fails to stop dumping at Lokhandwala backwater lake

Unauthorised dumping allegedly being carried out under the name of Maharashtra National Law University continues at Lokhandwala backwater despite an Rs 87 crore penalty prompting the Mumbai Suburban District Collector to direct officials to register a criminal case against those responsibleThe issue was raised during a meeting between Mumbai North West MP Ravindra Waikar and Mumbai Suburban District Collector Saurabh Katiyar at the Collectorrsquos office to review pending issues in the constituencyAccording to civic officials hundreds of trucks are allegedly continuing to transport material to the Lokhandwala backwater area every day despite the penalty imposed by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board MPCBAfter the matter was brought to his attention Katiyar directed MPCB officials present at the meeting to initiate criminal action against those responsible He also instructed the team appointed to monitor the work to take serious note of the continued dumping30 pending issues discussedThe meeting covered around 30 pending issues across the Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency including unauthorised construction road connectivity market redevelopment traffic congestion and rehabilitation of tribal settlementsProbe ordered into Kalpataru EstateThe meeting also discussed alleged irregularities at Kalpataru Estate in Jogeshwari East Waikar pointed out that the developer had allegedly received an Occupation Certificate despite amenities that were to be handed over to the BMC not having been transferredAllegations of largescale variations and tree cutting at the site were also raised The BMC has registered a police case in connection with the matterKatiyar directed the BMCrsquos Building Proposal and Development Planning departments to conduct a detailed inquiry Waikar asked the authorities to take a decision within 15 daysBMC markets await redevelopmentWaikar also raised the issue of several BMC markets whose redevelopment has been delayed because the civic bodyrsquos name has not been entered in the relevant 712 land recordsMarkets mentioned during the meeting included Navalakar Market Nirmalatai Ragiwar Market in Prem Nagar the market at VersovaYari Road Dattaji Salvi Market and the Sukhi Machhi Market in AndheriThe Collector directed the BMC to coordinate with his office and complete the process of recording its name on the relevant land recordsDP roads flagged to ease congestionSeveral pending Development Plan DP road projects were also discussed with directions to prioritise their completion to improve connectivity and ease traffic congestionThe roads include stretches connecting Janshakti Police Chowky to Kashinath Gavkar Marg Samarthanagar to the JogeshwariVikhroli Link Road Maharaj Bhuvan to Jogeshwari Caves and Shamnagarrsquos Ichhapurti Shri Ganesh Mandir Marg to Gaurav HotelOther stretches flagged include Sarvodaya Nagar to Hanuman Mandir Appa Pada to Savitribai Phule Nagar Guru Gobind Singh Road to SVP Road near Holy Spirit Hospital SR Mahadik Road ONGC Colony to Ichhapurti Sai Baba Mandir to Tanaji Nagar and Ratnagiri Hotel to Lokhandwala in Kandivali EastAuthorities were also asked to seek Project Affected Persons PAP tenements generated through redevelopment projects in the respective areas and take possession of themNESCO construction to be inspectedTraffic congestion caused by exhibitions at the Mumbai Exhibition Centre NESCO was another issue discussed at the meeting Large numbers of vehicles parked around the exhibition centre reportedly led to prolonged traffic jamsThe BMC was directed to coordinate with the traffic department and take measures to prevent congestionKatiyar also directed the MOH Fire Brigade and Building Proposal Department to jointly inspect alleged unauthorised construction at NESCO and submit a report within 15 daysRoyal Palms tribal rehabilitation issues raisedThe meeting also discussed alleged unauthorised dumping and construction at Royal Palms in Goregaon The matter concerning unauthorised studios is pending before the court while the BMC has been asked to formulate a policy on the issueThe Collector also directed officials to inspect locations where dumping and unauthorised construction are reportedly underwayThe rehabilitation of tribal settlements within the Force One area in Goregaon East was also discussed The Collector directed officials to convene meetings soon to examine the matter and take a decisionDemarcation ordered over treecutting complaintA case has been registered against Raheja Developers over alleged unauthorised tree cutting at a site identified as Survey No 2391 and related land parcelsAs the land has not yet been demarcated the Collector directed officials to complete the demarcation at the earliest amid concerns over possible encroachmentOfficials from the BMC Traffic Police Aarey Public Works Department City Survey and MPCB along with other department heads and officebearers attended the meeting