'If BMC doesn't respond now... I'll take this up with PM Modi'

I have been gently going about this for ten years Now the hand is on the trigger said renowned author and Juhu resident Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi regarding the alleged illegal construction going on in the building Pinnacle Dreams that he has been writing to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC about for a decade While BMC is clueless about Shanghvis letters the owner of the building has rubbished the allegationsFor over a decade Shanghvi who resides in a building located next to Pinnacle Dreams has been regularly writing to the K west ward office urging them to look into the construction going on in the neighbouring buildingPinnacle Dreams a groundpluseightstorey structure located opposite actor Amitabh Bachchans bungalow Jalsa was allegedly given demolition orders but nothing was done in the matter Shanghvi claims the parking space in the building is being turned into residential space by its residents The building constructed about 12 years ago had permission for vertical parking which meant that every floor that has only one apartment would get a separate parking space However there was no elevator for the vehicles which is why the demolition order was issued claimed ShanghviSiddharth Dhanvant ShanghviWhy protect the richShanghvi had also raised the issue about the parking space being closed off by a glass facade Speaking to midday he said I have chosen to speak up now because I have felt as millions of other Mumbaikars do disrespected and insulted by the BMC When I sent them letters addressing the violations none were answered Its as if BMC sees the hawkers and goes out and demolishes their stalls but they dont see the violations of the super rich as it is in the case of Pinnacle Dreams What is this desire to protect the rich Where does it stem fromHe added I have nothing against the building or any of its occupants but they must understand that I am only another ordinary citizen who is now tired of their brazen illegal conversions which have taken a toll on my health and my mind space The repairs are endless The process is dirty and exhausting to live beside This is why I have spoken up If BMC does not respond now I have the wherewithal to take an audience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and show him how common citizens like myself live in an India that he promised to make corruptionfree I have been gently going about this for ten years Now the hand is on the trigger In his last letter to BMC sent in October 2018 he mentioned that they should look into the building as construction was being carried out despite the issuance of a demolition orderBMC cluelessBMC meanwhile does not have a clue When midday spoke to assistant municipal commissioner of K West ward Prashant Gaikwad he said I am not aware of the issue I will check with the staff concerned about the status of the complaint and why it has gone unanswered Officials of BMCs Building Proposal department did not respond to requests for getting details about the alleged demolition orders An officer from the department said This is an old file and the details are not handy It will take time to be retrievedAllegations baselessThe owner of the building Kumar V Shah flatly denied the allegations He told midday Based on the complaint made by some person BMC had visited our building around two years ago and they have already carried out an inspection All I want to say is that the matter is sub judice in Dindoshi court and the allegations that we are now carrying out illegal construction in the building are baseless The work of painting and repairing the glass facade and tiles which were going to fall is being done and no work related to any structural changes or alteration is being carried out at allTrying to defame buildingA resident of the building said I bought a flat in the building a few months ago and prior to that my lawyer had checked all the documents pertaining to the property There is a case related to the building that is sub judice and my lawyer said that the case might turn in our favour I feel someone is deliberately trying to defame the buildingAsked about the allegations regarding the illegal conversion of the parking space the resident said The glass facade of the building is in bad shape and before it collapses and falls it is being repaired The building is also being waterproofed and painted but no structural altercation is being made at allCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates