BMC yet to take over land in custody of hotel

In December 2016, the state Lokayukta had directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take possession of 6,900 square metres (sqm) of land in three months time from Grand Hyatt, a plush suburban hotel. Even though the civic body took possession of the 3,000 sqm plot in February, 2017 the remaining 3,900 sqm is still in the hotel’s custody. It has been almost six months now and the BMC has failed to meet the deadline given by the state Lokayukta to acquire the plot from Grand Hyatt which it had occupied illegally.

The five-star hotel is located in Santacruz and set up on 12 acres of land. The 6,900 sqm plot was encroached upon by the hotel and was being rented for wedding celebrations. The issue was brought to BMC’s notice only in 2013 by former corporator Brian Miranda from Congress. 

The hotel has applied for Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) for the 3,000 sqm plot which has already been handed over. Miranda has written to Lokayukta requesting intervention regarding the 3,900 sqm plot. He also requested that TDR should not be given until the entire 6,900 sqm plot is in the civic body’s custody.