BMC yet to act against illegal toilet

Despite M-west ward officials in Chembur giving permission to a private developer to construct a public toilet in open space that is reserved for school, playground and garden, and the decision going against the BMC’s new policy introduced earlier this month, a top official has said he can verify the matter only if there is a written complaint.

Reacting on the illegal construction, which was earlier reported by The Asian Age, additional commissioner in-charge of open spaces, SVR Srinivasan said that he can verify the matter only if there is a written complaint. The local BMC officials said the reporting of the said irregularity did not bother them.

This newspaper is in possession with documents that reveal that the M-west ward officials in the No Objection Certificate (NOC) granted to the developer stated that the above mentioned open space as land reserved for municipal housing, where public toilets can be constructed.

However, the plot, located at Suman Nagar in Chembur, is listed as RG (Reserved Ground) according to the layout plan of the BMC. The RG is considered as open space, which can be used for construction of school, playground and gardens.

Residents from the locality have alleged that the move is part of a developer-corporation nexus to grab the land reserved for school and playground. The reason behind the developer constructing public toilet on open space is because he is redeveloping a project in nearby area and to provide alternative for slum dwellers, he has bribed the BMC officials to encroach on open space, residents alleged.

While drafting the new policy, the BMC had decided they would not allow construction on open spaces and had also assured that there is no restriction on general public to access it.

When contacted Bharat Marathe, deputy municipal commissioner of zone-5, said, “We have taken the decision on the local demand by the slum-dwellers in the vicinity.”

But he refused to comment on whether they have violated the new BMC policy on open spaces which does not allow any construction on it. Ajoy Mehta, municipal commissioner of the BMC, remained unavailable for comment.