Mumbai: Andheri residents say open plot grabbed, developer claims SRA project still on

Shanties on the plot next to Andheri Kamgar Nagar society

Over 200 residents of an SRA building at Andheri's Four Bungalows have alleged that an open space in their vicinity has been encroached upon by the developer, depriving them of a recreation ground. They say about 90 makeshift tents have been set up on the plot and their pleas to authorities have fallen on deaf ears. While the developer says the project is yet to be completed, the residents have rejected the claim.

The members of Andheri Kamgar Nagar Co-operative Housing Society limited say the nearly 1,8000-sqft open space was to be handed over by the developer to the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA).

The society, a private complex and the open ground came up after SRA cleared a slum pocket to provide better amenities to the residents. Under the project, a building for the slum dwellers was constructed in 2004.

While the developer built a high-rise on the saleable component, it was supposed to give the third portion, which is the open space, to the government. However, the 237 residents of Kamgar society allege that the developer - Bhojwani Builders - has let its labourers stay in the tents. It has also deployed a security guard, who claims it's a private property.

Vasant Kamble, secretary of Kamgar society, said, "We have no open space near us for our children and when we see that a plot which is meant to be a public open space is being utilised by the developer's labourers we feel extremely pained."

Kamble said they have written to various authorities to free the space of encroachment. "The construction [of the saleable component] was completed about seven to eight years back and people began moving in, but still the labourers continue to stay in our backyard, which needs to be vacated," he added.

MLA Satam, who belongs to the BJP, said action could not be taken due to the Covid-19 pandemic. "I have received many complaints regarding how an open plot which could be a good public space is being wasted. I have also written to SRA. As the plot is not yet handed over by the developer to the government, I could not develop it from my fund. But the government can definitely do something about the encroachment. I will follow up with SRA."

‘Project still on'

Varun Ratanpal, a representative of the builder said, "The project is yet to be completed and there is no encroachment or slums on the recreation ground. As per SRA rules, the RG will be handed over when the project is completed."

What SRA says

A senior SRA officer told mid-day, "I will have to check the project details before commenting on what action can be taken. But we do not give the Occupation Certificate unless all the reservations are handed over to the authorities concerned. We withhold about 10 to 25 per cent of the sale component on a case-to-case basis."

237
No. of residents in the SRA building