Ignore illegal structures: Shiv Sena to BMC

Six kids were killed after a 5-storey structure collapsed in Behrampada, Bandra, on October 13. Following the incident, the BMC had expedited action against slum structures towering over 14 feet.

Shiv Sena, the ruling party in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), wants the civic administration to turn a blind eye towards the illegal building structures in the city. According to the party, the civic body should ignore these structures on humanitarian grounds. However, Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai Ajoy Mehta has turned down the party's demand saying that the demolition drive against dangerous multi-storeyed structures in the city would continue. The BJP, too, has opposed Sena's demand.

Speaking to the BMC standing committee, Sena leader Trishna Vishwasrao said, “Population in the city is on the rise, due to which people are forced to construct ground plus one structures above the permissible height of 14 feet. Such structures need to be protected on humanitarian grounds.”

Samajwadi Party corporator Rais Shaikh said that multi-storyed slums are a social problem. “Poor people staying in these slums are backbone of this city. But while the BMC is targeting slums, it is turning a blind eye towards other illegal structures. Action should be taken against officials who have allowed such structures to come up in their areas.”

Leader of Opposition (LoP) Pravin Chheda said that those who supported Campa Cola, are now opposing slums. "The Congress has demanded that the slums be allowed to be built at a height of 19 feet and the proposal was supported by all the parties, including the BJP. Since the proposal is pending with the state government, how can the BMC take action against slums " he asked.

The state government, in a circular dated June 5, 2002, had allowed increasing the height of protected slum structures up to 14 feet. According to the circular, the increase in the height up to 14 feet shall be considered only for eligible residential huts having area up to 225 square feet. However, a lot of multi-storeyed slums violating the rules have come up across the city.

Opposing the Sena demand, BJP leader Manoj Kotak said, "The municipal commissioner cannot be stopped if he is taking action against illegal structures as per the law. People who had demanded unauthorised slums to be demolished after Kinara Hotel, Behrampada and Juhu incidents, are now supporting such illegal structures."

MNS corporator Sandeep Deshpande alleged that demand to protect illegal structures is being made only to woo voters.

Mr Mehta assured that no illegal floor would be allowed to be constructed in the city. If any found, officials concerned will be held responsible. He said that action would continue against illegal five-six floored structures.

The BMC would not take any responsibility if any untoward incident happens, he added.