53 illegal structures in Versova CRZ to be razed

Mumbai: The Mumbai suburban district administration will initiate the process of pulling down illegal structures that come under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) in Versova from next week. The administration has identified 53 unauthorised structures in the CRZ at Versova.

In November 2016, the suburban district collector had issued notices to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) asking them to explain whether they were aware about the environmental violations committed by the house owners, or not.

This was after, social activist Abdul Choudhary had earlier written to the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), asking it to initiate steps to demolish the structures. The letter was later forwarded to the district administration.

Deependra Singh Kushwah, Mumbai suburban collector, said, “We had issued notices to Mhada and BMC seeking details from them. Recently, we demanded that Mhada initiate action against structures that violate CRZ norms and had given them 15 days time. However, since the time period given to Mhada has lapsed, the revenue department or the collectors office will file a police complaint in the coming week and start the process of demolishing illegal structures.”

Owners of the 53 illegal structures have allegedly violated the Environment Protection Act by encroaching on mangrove land. The issue came to light after the authorities investigated the ‘illegal extension’ by actor Kapil Sharma at his office by destroying mangroves in Versova .