Mumbai: Despite clear instructions to take over the plot encroached upon by Grand Hyatt Hotel at Kalina, the hotel continues to occupy the plot and use it for commercial
reasons.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has alleged that Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is dilly-dallying on taking possession of the plot from the hotel.
In February, the BMC had taken over the 3,000 sq mt plot from the hotel authorities, after the state Lokayukta had directed it to reclaim the plot in December last year. However, a second plot admeasuring 3,900 sq mt is yet to be handed over to the civic body. The land is categorised as ‘reserved open space for public use.’
The MNS has written a letter to the BMC asking it to take over the plot at the earliest. “The hotel had given the undertaking that the plot would be surrendered for open public use. But we have received complaints that the space is still illegally rented out by the hotel at premium rates. This action by the hotel is blatantly in connivance with municipal officials. The BMC should remove encroachments and take possession of that piece of land,” said MNS leader, Akhil Chitre.
However, hotel authorities have said that the said plot would be handed over to the BMC within couple of months. Amit Saraf, senior VP, Grand Hyatt Hotel, said, “The plot will be handed over once the cooling towers, which are operating there are shifted. We were told that till the revised layout is approved, we cannot shift the towers, which are large in size. We will have to put and connect new cooling towers before shifting the old ones.”
When contacted, Alka Sasane, assistant commissioner of H-East ward, said, “The BMC has already taken over the first plot and the process is on to take possession of second one from the hotel.”
