Green signal given to controversial mangrove plot by BMC
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has recently given green signal to a private developer to construct on a mangrove plot which lies in the Oshiwara-Lokhandwala area.
This land is a controversial one because of a pending public interest litigation and a charge sheet.
Reportedly, a commencement certificate (CC) was issued by an engineer in the BMC’s building proposal department. The CC had permission to construct on the 7,741-sq-m land adjacent to Oshiwara Creek.
The plot which lies between Lokhandwala Bridge and Lokhandwala Club comes under the Coastal Regulatory Zone-1 category which means that no construction should be allowed on it.
Seeing the ongoing construction, Oshiwara Lokhandwala Citizens’ Association (OLCA) sent a notice to the civic body chief. They were surprised that in one hand, many constructions were adjourned citing it illegal. On the other hand, they granted CC to construct the proposed building.
The association also added that the certificate has been granted in spite of a charge sheet being filed against the developer for destroying the mangroves.
The same developer had dumped some debris at the same site last year. Following this, an FIR was filed against him by the locals. At the same time, a PIL was filed in the case.
On several occasions on dates like January 4, 2012, and March 20, 2012, residents had made attempt to save the mangrove plot from the developer from illegal construction.
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