Ensure no illicit bldgs reappear at Alibaug: Bombay HC tells state

Mumbai: The Bombay high court has directed the state government to ensure that no illegal constructions reappear after the demolition of illegal bungalows along the coastal stretch of Alibaug.

The court has also directed the public works department (PWD) to assist the Alibaug district collector in demolishing these illegal structures.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed against illegal bungalows in Alibaug, including the one belonging to beleaguered diamantaire Nirav Modi.

A division bench of Justice S.C. Dharmadhikari and Justice Riyaz Chagla was hearing the petition filed by activist Surendra Dhavale, seeking direction to the authorities to demolish unauthorised constructions in the low- and high-tide stretches of the Alibaug coast.

There are many such structures in Alibaug violating the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority rules, the petition said.

At last hearing, the HC had asked the Raigad district collector to remain present at the subsequent hearing to inform what steps had been taken to raze these illegal structures.

Accordingly Monday, Vijay Suryavanshi, collector, remained present and filed an affidavit in the HC.

The Bombay high court has last week pulled up the Maharashtra government for turning a blind eye to illegal constructions carried out by “powerful and eminent” people in the coastal Alibaug district.

A total 159 illegal constructions have been identified in Alibaug, out of which 22 have been razed, permissions to raze another 16 have been granted, while owners of the remaining 111 structures have managed to get a stay on demolition from the local district court.