Residents seek stay on high-rise work

Mumbai: Members of the society affected by the landslide in Wadala approached the Bombay high court seeking direction to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the government to cancel the plan for the construction of high-rise building that caused the landslide.

The court however, has asked the petitioner and the respondents to suggest name of some IIT Institution like IIT-Bombay or Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) or non-controversial expert who could suggest remedial measures at the place of incident after an inspection. The matter is posted for suggestion of name on Saturday.

Dosti Blossom Co-operative Housing Society Limited on Friday moved a petition before the division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Riyaz Chagla challenging the permission granted to Dosti Realty Private Limited to construct high-rise buildings in the adjoining plot. “The said construction activity have caused grave hardship on the petitioner and its residents are at great risk. There is constant threat of further landslides and erosions of soil. There are at least two previous instances of such landslides,” alleged the petition for seeking cancellation of plan sanctioned.

Meanwhile, the Antop Hill police have sent a notices to Dosti Realty company owner Deepak Garodiya, its chairman Kishan Garodiya, and its director Rajesh Shah, to appear for questioning, failing to which action will be taken. Police said no arrests have been made in the case as of now.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 4) N. Ambika said, “When the accused persons come for the questioning, it will come light whether the accused had sought proper permission and used permissible equipments for the construction.”