August 2, 2025: A dispute has emerged between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) over the legality of a public library constructed in Chandivali. The structure, built by MHADA’s Slum Improvement Board on a reserved amenity plot, has sparked outrage among local residents.
The BMC claims to have issued a notice under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act following a citizen’s complaint. However, MHADA has denied receiving any such notice. Documents accessed via the BMC’s AutoDCR portal reveal that the structure lacks crucial approvals, including the Intimation of Disapproval (IOD), Commencement Certificate (CC), and Fire Department No Objection Certificate (NOC).
MHADA, in response, argued that the project was executed under the MLA Local Development Programme and received administrative approval from the suburban district collector in September 2024. It also claimed to have obtained an NOC from the BMC in February 2025—though notably, the Fire NOC was applied for only after construction, and the application was rejected.
Despite this, residents of Chandivali, led by the Chandivali Citizens’ Welfare Association (CCWA), have protested the construction, stating it violates the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034 and was carried out without public consultation. “MHADA has failed to meet basic legal requirements. Their claims are misleading,” said CCWA founder Mandeep Singh Makkar.
As both public authorities continue to contradict each other, local citizens remain in the dark about who is accountable. “If MHADA believes the structure is legal, we challenge them to prove it,” added Makkar. The assistant municipal commissioner of L Ward, Dhanaji Herlekar, earlier stated that while BMC granted certain permissions, MHADA is responsible for obtaining all necessary approvals. The issue highlights troubling gaps in inter-departmental transparency and procedural compliance.
Source: The Free Press Journal
