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Mumbai: The under-construction Viewing Gallery right over a stormwater drain at Girgaum Chowpatty has given rise to allegations of violations of Maharashtra Regional Town Planning (MRTP), Act 1966. Activists contend that the alleged violations could also attract penal provisions of the National Green Tribunal. (NGT).
In an appeal to Iqbal Singh Chahal, Municipal Commissioner, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) activists have urged the civic chief to take appropriate steps as per the provisions of the MRTP Act, as it violates the provisions of the law. Activists further argue that the violations could attract legal and penal action for the civic body.
“While we do agree that Mumbai needs to be developed further to attract tourists, it should not be done in an illegal manner and taxpayers’ money should not be misused for the same. In a way, as per the MRTP, it is your responsibility to ensure that this is followed”, says a statement issued here on Friday.
Currently, work to build a Viewing Gallery on Girgaum Chowpatty is going on in South Mumbai. Towards the northern tip of the Girgaum Chowpatty, alongside the B R Tambe square, we have the Corporation’s Storm water drainage system which carries the rainwater to sea. The Viewing Gallery is being built on this very stormwater drainage system on an area of 475 square metre.
The construction is being done by erecting pillars in the sea without taking any permission under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. It has effectively damaged the ecosystem in the sea. It may in the future invite some trouble in the form of a fine from NGT.
Hence, I appeal to you to take proper action under MRTP Act and CRZ Act or else I will have to move courts under MRTP Act Section 56(A).
