One of the biggest commercial properties in Ulhasnagar is under the threat of demolition after the Town Planning Department flagged extensive alleged unauthorised construction within the premises.
The Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) has issued a notice to the developer of Regency Plaza, a major commercial complex in the city. The notice points to approximately 31,000 square feet of illegal construction and several structural and regulatory violations in the building.
According to the notice, Town Planner Vikas Birari has directed the developer, Sunder Developers, to submit an explanation within seven days regarding the alleged violations. Authorities have warned that if the response is not satisfactory, demolition action may be taken against the unauthorized portions of the structure.
The Town Planning Department has also ordered that the disputed area should not be used until the matter is resolved. In addition, the municipal ward officer has been instructed to seal the affected portion of the complex until further instructions are issued.
Regency Plaza is one of the busiest commercial hubs in Ulhasnagar, housing nearly 500 offices of various companies and businesses along with several banquet halls. Following the civic notice, concern and uncertainty have spread among office owners and employees working in the building, who are worried about the possible consequences of municipal action.
The issue reportedly came to light after social activist Swapnil Patil obtained information about additional alleged illegal construction within the complex. Patil subsequently filed a complaint with the UMC’s Town Planning Department.
After receiving the complaint, the department had earlier issued a notice asking the developer to remove the unauthorized construction. Municipal officials had even carried out partial demolition of the structure. However, it is alleged that the developer later reconstructed the demolished section and resumed using it.
In an attempt to regularize the structure, the developer submitted a revised building proposal for approval. During scrutiny, however, the Town Planning Department reportedly found several discrepancies and shortcomings in the revised plan.
Officials said the proposal failed to comply with the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR), particularly in relation to mandatory parking provisions. Several other irregularities were also detected during the review.
As a result, the department rejected the revised proposal and ordered the removal of the unauthorized construction within the complex.
Speaking on the issue, activist Swapnil Patil said Ulhasnagar is already facing problems due to widespread illegal constructions, which have resulted in narrow roads and severe traffic congestion, forcing many residents to leave the city.
He added that while developers are expected to follow legal building norms, some continue to violate regulations, harming the city’s image. According to Patil, strict action against such illegal structures is necessary to discourage similar violations and prevent further unauthorized construction in the future.
Source: The Times of India
