15 February,2012 07:11 PM IST | | PTI
In a trouble for Mumbai Metro phase I (Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar), a public interest litigation filed in the Bombay High Court has alleged violation of Development Control Regulations (DCRs) and fire safety norms.
Petitioner Monica Matani claims that the city fire department granted No Objection Certificate to the project without proper verifications.
Besides, the state Urban Development Department, planning body MMRDA and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) violated several rules, and have put lives of the citizens living near the upcoming metro stations as well as that of potential commuters in danger, she says.
The division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Ranjit More today asked the Chief Fire Officer of BMC to file a reply within four weeks.
The petition claims that construction of Versova-Ghatkopar stretch started in February 2008, but application for NOC of fire department was made only in December 2009, after Matani had sought information about it under the Right to Information Act. Subsequently, a blanket NOC for all the 12 station buildings was given, whereas the DCR and Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act require a separate permission for each building, it says.
Apart from cancellation of the NOC, the PIL has also prayed for stay to the construction of these 12 stations. The phase I of the project is expected to be completed this year.
