Residents up the ante against school
Purna Panchal
Residents of Mohanbhai Mehta Mansion are protesting against a school that they accuse of violating building rules and regulations. Situated on 153, August Kranti Marg, the Pranjali World School, the disputed institution, has allegedly constructed illegal portions, which affected other residents’ daily lives. They allege that a passage of proper air and light has been affected by the construction of the school.
Rajendra Mehta, a resident and a builder said, “The school has not obtained a change of user certificate to change it from residence to school from the first to fourth floor. The entrance is just 2 feet 6 inches wide where it is mandatory to have an 8 to 9 ft. wide entrance. The school does not have proper staircases, and mandatory fire-exits.” One of the tenants seeking anonymity said, “The school is in a residential building. This could be risky since the basic structure is residential it can hold only certain amount of pressure. If it is a fully functional school, the building can collapse. They have also made altered the building structure.”
The BMC on September 13 served a notice, which is in possession of DNA, on the school under Section 351 of the BMC Act from making illegal alterations in the building.
But the school trustees claim they have all the necessary documents.Hemant Chedda, a trustee of the school said, “The case has been resolved. We are following all the rules and the decision of the case is also in our favour.” The school trustees also allege that only one person — Rajendra Mehta — has come up against the school.
Education officer for Greater Mumbai, Nimhchandra Shitode said, “The school cannot be opened in a residential building, especially if there are any tenants living in the same building. They need to have proper hygienic conditions and fire exits at the school.”