Mumbai: BMC demolishes illegal constructions in NSCI

The encroachment demolished by the BMC yesterday.

After being criticised of inaction against the National Sports Club of India (NSCI), the civic body finally demolished illegal constructions inside the club yesterday. The club is under the BMC lens for violating its lease agreement. The plot on which it is constructed is BMC-owned, and was given to it on a lease of 999 years. However, in 2016 and in 2017, the BMC's estate department had issued notices to it for breach of lease conditions.

The notices mention several violations like NSCI entering an agreement with an agency which operates in the entertainment business. Illegal additions and alterations have also been made in the club. A senior official from G-South ward said, "On Thursday we demolished an encroachment in a compulsory open space near a ball room constructed inside club. The encroachment was spread across a 400×20 feet area and was used for commercial purposes. There are a few more structures which will face action. We will plan further action on Monday."

Corporator claims
Samajwadi Party corporator Rais Shaikh had written a letter (on January 23) to municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta alleging inaction against the club as several civic officials are members of the club. Shaikh said, "The club had not paid property taxes and they are using the area designated for sports activity for entertainment purposes and minting money from it, by violating the lease agreement. Several civic officials are honorary members of this club because of which action was delayed by BMC." According to sources, four deputy municipal commissioners, two ward officers and one fire official are members of the club.

BJP Mumbai secretary Vivekanand Gupta who had filed several complaints against the NSCI's encroachments said, "On November 18, 2017 I had filed a complaint against the illegal structure and today it was demolished. The BMC should terminate the lease for various violations. An FIR should be lodged against officials of NSCI for CRZ violations."

NSCI says
Jayantilal Shah, president, NSCI said, "A portion has been demolished but this was merely an addition to help people keep dry during the monsoon while they access the club. We had erred in not removing it once the monsoon was over." A member rubbished Shah's claims. "It was a huge 'pucca' extension that has been demolished, this was no monsoon cover," the member claimed. Another member said there was at least, "12,000 square feet of extension that has been demolished."

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, current affairs from Mumbai, local news, crime news and breaking headlines here

Download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go