BMC defends elevated parking for Juhu building…..Hetal Vyas
Mumbai: In response to a petition filed in the Bombay high court by a JVPD welfare group,the BMC on Wednesday justified the necessity of a multiple car parking facility at a multi-storey building in Juhu.In its affidavit,the BMC stated that permission for the car park had been granted keeping in mind that the Juhu Vile Parle Development (JVPD) scheme is in a low-lying area.JVPD is a low-lying area and experiences severe waterlogging during the monsoon.There are also constraints of height restrictions imposed by Civil Aviation Authority.Taking into consideration the said factors,car parking decks on habitable floors are permitted, said the affidavit filed by Jayesh Engineer,assistant engineer (building proposal),BMC.
The affidavit was submitted last month in reply to a petition filed by the Gulmohar Area Societys Welfare Group,which challenged the permission granted by the senior rung of BMC officials for the construction of a ground-plusnine storey building.In the petition,welfare group member Ashoke Pandit alleged that the buildingwhich is yet to be namedhad been constructed in gross violation of the Development Control Rules (DCR).The authorities have granted permission for 386 car parking slots for 33 flats,but the developer admits that the requirement is only 145, argued petitioners lawyer Vibhav Krishna.
According to the BMCs affidavit,as per the government notification dated August 12,2009,each JVPD flat with an area above 100 sq m requires a minimum of four parking slots.As per the notification,the minimum parking required,including 25% for visitors,is 145.For the building,however,the architect has proposed 196 parking spaces, the affidavit read.
The Gulmohar Area Societys Welfare group had also pointed out five irregularities in the construction of the building.These included the construction of balconies in excess of the sanctioned plans,flower beds,decks for a swimming pool in every apartment and lily ponds.The BMC denied any violation on its part.
Adivision bench of Justice P B Majmudar and Justice Amjad Sayed on Wednesday while adjourning the petition observed: If any steps are taken by any of the respondents,it will be subject to further orders of this court. The case was adjourned for four weeks.