Panvel civic leaders have urged the municipal administration to take immediate action against alleged unauthorised construction in a building in Sector 22, Kamothe, where four additional floors were reportedly constructed beyond the approved 11-storey plan, raising concerns over building permissions and the interests of homebuyers.
Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) Mayor Nitin Patil, Standing Committee chairman Baban Mukadam and corporator Paresh Thakur met Municipal Commissioner Mangesh Chitale to raise the issue and seek prompt enforcement action.
According to the civic representatives, the building was sanctioned for 11 floors but construction allegedly continued up to the 15th floor. They claimed that the additional four floors did not have the necessary additional Floor Space Index (FSI) approval.
The representatives further said that proposals seeking regularisation or approval for the additional construction had been submitted to the PMC’s building department twice, but both applications were rejected.
The civic administration had reportedly directed action against the alleged unauthorised portions around five months ago. A police complaint has also been registered at Kamothe police station following a complaint filed by the ward officer.
Action Delay Raises Questions
Despite the police case and a proposal placed before the civic administration on August 21, action against the alleged unauthorised construction has reportedly not yet been completed.
Patil, Mukadam and Thakur asked Commissioner Chitale to ensure that the matter is dealt with under applicable rules. The commissioner reportedly assured the representatives that he would review the issue and issue instructions to the concerned department.
Homebuyers Raise Concern
The civic representatives also highlighted the potential impact on people who may have purchased apartments in the building, possibly investing their savings based on sanctioned plans and approved permissions.
They said homebuyers generally depend on official documents when purchasing properties and could face financial or legal difficulties if apartments have been constructed beyond the sanctioned plans.
The representatives demanded that alleged unauthorised construction should not be regularised at the expense of buyers and that purchasers should not be held responsible for violations allegedly carried out by developers.
Meanwhile, BJP corporators have begun an awareness campaign urging prospective buyers to exercise caution. Citizens have been advised against booking flats on the allegedly unauthorised additional floors.
Those who have already booked apartments in the disputed portions have also been urged to independently verify sanctioned building plans, approvals and other relevant documents before making further payments or proceeding with the purchase.
The matter remains under the scrutiny of the PMC, with civic representatives seeking action to establish compliance with approved construction permissions and protect homebuyers from potential complications arising from alleged violations.
Source: The Free Press Journal
