Reserved open spaces being encroached upon, says MLA
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MUMBAI: Congress
legislator from Vile Parle, Krishna Hegde, has accused ward officials
of favouring traders and developers at the cost of locals by allowing
them to encroach upon reserved open spaces.
In a letter to municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte, Hegde said that at least three prime plots reserved for various amenities totalling over 2 lakh sq feet in Vile Parle have been encroached upon and the BMC has been reluctant to take action. On the Andheri-Ghatkopar link road, a marble trader alone has usurped 83,610 sq ft, he said. The reserved open space is being used to cut, grind and polish marble. "The entire plot is an amalgamation of eight plots and is reserved for a recreational ground. The local K-East ward office along with the civic legal department are dragging their feet over the removal of the encroachment. Here there is a single encroacher," alleged Hegde.
A senior civic official said the HC had stayed the eviction and the matter went to the apex court. "Last month, the SC vacated the stay and we have now started the acquisition process. We have served eviction notices but since the structures are standing since 1989-90 we cannot remove them unless we provide alternate space,'' he said. Hegde said that there was just one structure present there in 1989 and the marble factory came up only three years ago.
A second plot on Malviya road, spread over 40,000 sq ft and reserved as a recreational ground, is still to be cleared. A third plot measuring 50,000 sq ft near the Milan subway flyover, reserved for a bus depot, is also under encroachment. The civic official said the process of acquisition of the plot on Malviya road has been stayed.
Hegde said, "It took me two and a half years and over 20 reminders before the BMC acquired a plot adjoining the Malviya road plot that was encroached upon and the same story is being repeated."
In a letter to municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte, Hegde said that at least three prime plots reserved for various amenities totalling over 2 lakh sq feet in Vile Parle have been encroached upon and the BMC has been reluctant to take action. On the Andheri-Ghatkopar link road, a marble trader alone has usurped 83,610 sq ft, he said. The reserved open space is being used to cut, grind and polish marble. "The entire plot is an amalgamation of eight plots and is reserved for a recreational ground. The local K-East ward office along with the civic legal department are dragging their feet over the removal of the encroachment. Here there is a single encroacher," alleged Hegde.
A senior civic official said the HC had stayed the eviction and the matter went to the apex court. "Last month, the SC vacated the stay and we have now started the acquisition process. We have served eviction notices but since the structures are standing since 1989-90 we cannot remove them unless we provide alternate space,'' he said. Hegde said that there was just one structure present there in 1989 and the marble factory came up only three years ago.
A second plot on Malviya road, spread over 40,000 sq ft and reserved as a recreational ground, is still to be cleared. A third plot measuring 50,000 sq ft near the Milan subway flyover, reserved for a bus depot, is also under encroachment. The civic official said the process of acquisition of the plot on Malviya road has been stayed.
Hegde said, "It took me two and a half years and over 20 reminders before the BMC acquired a plot adjoining the Malviya road plot that was encroached upon and the same story is being repeated."
