A nine-year delay in transferring land reserved for a crematorium in Kurar, Malad (East), has triggered fresh concerns, with demands for an inquiry into the matter reaching Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide.
The dispute relates to a 1,500-square-metre plot reserved under the Janu Bhoye Nagar Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project. Although the BMC’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) directed in February 2017 that the land be retained for a crematorium and transferred to the civic body, the handover has not taken place.
According to a letter issued by the BMC’s Development Plan (DP) department on June 8, the developer, Omkar Developers, was required to develop the reserved plot under the SRA scheme on CTS No. 282 and hand it over to the BMC. As the transfer remains pending, the civic body has requested the SRA to expedite the process.
Project records show that the original reservation covered 6,000 square metres. However, after detailed deliberations, the TAC decided that at least 1,500 square metres should be retained for the crematorium. Despite the directive, possession of the land has not yet been transferred.
BMC Architectural Committee Chairperson Sangeeta Sharma has alleged that an attempt was made in 2019 to shift the reservation despite the Bombay High Court and TAC directing that the crematorium be developed at its original location. She further claimed that a proposal to hand over only 500 square metres was rejected, following which the TAC reiterated that the facility should be constructed on the designated 1,500-square-metre site near the Western Express Highway.
Former BJP corporator Sharma said, “Whatever reservations were part of this project have already been reduced in accordance with the rules. But if SRA officials and the developer now want to grab the 1,500 sq m land reserved for the crematorium under the 1991 Development Plan and DP-2034, we will fight every legal battle necessary.”
Responding to the allegations, SRA CEO Mahendra Kalyankar said, “We will investigate the matter and provide appropriate information on this subject.”
BMC Executive Engineer Abhijeet Shankhe said, “We have sent a letter to the SRA and, as soon as we receive their reply, we will take further steps.” Attempts to obtain a response from Omkar Developers were unsuccessful.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
