Mumbai: The BMC has issued diktats to its ward officers
seeking prompt action against illegal buildings in the city,
following the High Court wrath that unlawful constructions
in Ulhasnagar are faced with. The diktat clarifies that the
ward officer will be “solely responsible” if any
unauthorized structure is located in their areas.
Additional Municipal Commissioner (city) Subrat Rathod and
V Kalampatil, deputy municipal commissioner (special) had
handed out the circular last week. It states that Mumbai must
act before it is too late and deal with the illegal structures,
before the situation goes out of hand as has been the case
in Ulhasnagar and Delhi. The ward officers have to carry out
the inspections and get rid of illegal buildings.
Last year, the BMC had demolished about 36,400 unauthorized
structures in the 24 wards under the BMC Act and the MRTP
Act. This time, the ward officers are positive the problem
will be confronted without difficulty, thanks to the advanced
equipments available now. The ward officers had reportedly
anticipated the issuance of such notices, when the condition
in Ulhasnagar was identified and the structures located.
The High Court had issued orders to the Ulhasnagar Municipal
Corporation (UMC) directing it to undertake the flattening
of about 855 unlawful structures in the township of Ulhasnagar.
The BMC seems to have learnt its lessons before time.
