Violations at posh SoBo high-rise: Is BMC looking the other way?

Chandelier Court at L R Papan Marg in Worli. Pics/Ashish Raje

The residents of a plus high-rise in Worli expanded their flats to include the area of refuge meant for fire incidents three years back, and the BMC's G South ward office sent them a notice to demolish the alterations and restore the structure to its approved plan. The civic body scheduled a demolition on February 23 after the residents did not act to its multiple reminders.

RTI activist Santosh Pandey, who had made the complaint and has been following the matter for over three years now, has accused the BMC of looking the other way. The residents of Takshashila building No. 2, also known as Chandelier Court, extended their apartments till the refuge area measuring about 36.28 square meter on each floor.

Pandey said, "Owners of 25 flats were given notices of demolition, but the BMC has forgotten to act on its notices. There is tremendous violation in this building that has two flats on each floor. The residents divided the refuge area equally among them and made it a part of their flats."

Following his complaint in 2018, the BMC inspected the building and directed the owners to tear down all alterations. Pandey said, "I received a reply from the BMC to my repeated complaints, informing me that 25 flat owners have been served demolition notices. But the BMC has not yet taken any action, and is favouring the residents."

One of the flat owners said they had approached the court after receiving demolition notices, while two others mid-day contacted refused to comment. However, sources said many residents have started acting on the orders, and a handful of others would do so soon.

Assistant Municipal Commissioner Sharad Ugade told mid-day necessary action will be taken.

2018
Year the activist complained about the violations to the BMC