New encroachers flout HC order
Industrial, commercial units have come up at Mahakali Caves overthe last eight months……..Kiran Tare
Though the Bombay High Court had ordered removal of encroachments within 100 metre of Mahakali Caves in Andheri (East), the order was flouted right under the BMC’s nose.
Even as the old encroachments within the restricted area continue to stand, new ones have emerged in the last eight months. A few industrial and commercial units have been set up at Sariput Nagar on Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) by cutting trees and digging.
When DNA visited the spot on Tuesday, we found that Kamal Transport Company had created a parking space for its tankers at the bottom of the caves after digging the hill. Also, they had dug a borewell in the restricted area and were selling the water at a rate of Rs600 per tanker.
“There is also a mixing plant of soil and dung. The mixture is sold to builders for construction. Trucks are parked at the site to carry the mixture,” said Vikas Singh, a worker.
Most of the industrial units in the area allegedly belong to a local businessman Ramesh Singh Thakur. When contacted Thakur claimed that he was not aware that the units were in a restricted area. “I have all the permissions needed to carry out my business activities. I wasn’t aware that no construction was allowed near the caves. If BMC asks me to remove the units, I will follow their instructions,” he said.
Pravin Margaj, member of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, said that despite the high court?s order these units continued to get proper water and power supply, courtesy the BMC. “They were forced to cut the water connection last week after we objected to it. However, Reliance Energy continues to supply electricity to them.”
An official from the company said that they had provided the units with electric connection after BMC gave them permission to conduct their business in the area.
Mayor Shubha Raul expressed shock on learning that new encroachments had emerged near the cave. “I will ask the municipal commissioner to remove them as early as possible,” she said.
“The land belongs to Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). We have no role in giving licences to the structures there. If anyone has set up the industrial units in the restricted area, then they are definitely considered as encroachments. I will personally look into the matter and get them removed,” she added.
GS Narsimhan, Mumbai director of ASI, was not available for comment.