BMC at war with MLA for piece of school land……..Shweta Desai
Byculla Land Row: On the pretext of removing stinking toilet, MLA eyeing plot: BMC
Byculla Land Row: On the pretext of removing stinking toilet, MLA eyeing plot: BMC
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), often called the biggest land-owner in Mumbai, is trying to save one of its plots from encroachment.
This time, the civic body is not warring, as usual, against slum-dwellers or migrants to save its land.
BMC officials say that they are up against an MLA who is allegedly trying to grab the land.
The land in question is the playground belonging to the Babula Tank municipal school in Byculla, where illegal construction activity has been going on, allegedly aided by Umerkhadi MLA Bashir Patel, according to civic officials.
Approximately 2,500 square feet area of the playground has been barricaded, and digging is under way inside, the officials said adding that no permission had been granted for it as far as they know.
The illegal construction began last week when a toilet comprising four blocks was demolished. Taking advantage of this demolition, construction was started on the site allegedly with the help of Patel.
The South Bombay Charitable Trust has taken two floors of the whole structure on lease. BMC officials say the Trust, with Patels help, was trying to usurp the said land.
Patel put pressure on us to demolish the toilet block located away from the main school building, stating it is a nuisance for students as it was stinking. After resisting the idea for some time, we finally demolished it. However, we were surprised to see the area barricaded by large tin sheets. On making enquiries, we found that construction workers were carrying out the excavation work there, said deputy municipal commissioner, (Zone I), Dr K Kshirsagar.
Officials confirmed the involvement of Umerkhadi MLA Patel in the matter. A report prepared by the education officer in charge of the school has also made a complaint regarding the matter to the B Ward office.
He brought a delegation and told us not to take any action on the activity as it was for the benefit of the students. But when asked to show the necessary permission, he could not produce any documents, a senior official said.
When contacted, Patel denied having knowledge on the matter. Civic officials alleged that the Trust was trying to capture more school land and take it over from the BMC. The Trust, they alleged, was planning to construct a new building and start more classes with the help of Patel.
Every time we try to take some action on the structure, the MLA stops it, an official claimed. The BMC has now sought Police help to remove the barricades and free the area.