The Hindu 13.11.2013
241 cases ripe for demolition: civic body
Just about 15 kilometres from the Campa Cola Compound stands the infamous Adarsh Society. The entire 31-storey building, which was built without environmental clearances despite being located within the Coastal Regulation Zone, faces demolition.
In the last eight months alone, the Mumbai municipality has issued 3,726 notices to several structures in the city for illegal alterations or construction beyond sanctioned legal plans.
The civic body says 241 illegal constructions are “ripe cases” for demolition. “In several cases, the developer has gone ahead with the construction without a commencement certificate, which is absolutely illegal. We will act after scrutinising their responses,” says Additional Municipal Commissioner Mohan Adtani.
Like the Campa Cola Compound, nearly 6,000 buildings in Mumbai don’t have an occupation certificate. This is a document that is given once the building has complied with all the construction norms. Residents should not move into a new construction without it.
Critics point to a link between Pratibha building case of the 1980s and the Campa Cola case. The 36-storey Pratibha building came up in the elite Breach Candy area. Its top eight floors were found to be illegal and demolished after a protracted legal battle. The original architect of the building later turned developer and was involved in the Campa Cola construction.
Residents feel cheated
Residents say demolition is unfair, especially since the builders had it easy. “I have been living in the compound for more than 20 years. The civic body should only demolish flats that have crossed the permissible FSI limits. The municipality should consider regularising the other portions,” said Umesh Sinha.
On Tuesday, residents were shouting slogans at the gate. “We have been targeted because we are not considered a likely vote bank. Despite all the irregularities in Aadarsh, the building still stands,” said a protester who did not wish to be named.
