A long-running disagreement between two neighbouring luxury residential societies in Andheri West has intensified, with both sides levelling allegations over access management, security concerns and compliance issues. The dispute involves Badrinath Tower CHS and Amarnath Tower CHS, two upscale residential towers that share common infrastructure, including a podium and internal driveway network.
According to representatives of Badrinath Tower CHS, residents of Amarnath Tower continue to use its entry and exit gates despite having separate designated access points. The society claims that this arrangement has led to traffic bottlenecks, operational difficulties and security-related concerns within the premises.
Megha Lohia, chairman of Badrinath Tower, said the society introduced vehicle identification stickers and installed a boom barrier to regulate access after repeated complaints.
“Residents of Amarnath Tower continue to use the entry and exit gates of Badrinath Tower, which remains open 24×7. This has raised serious concerns regarding the safety and security of our residents,” she said.
Lohia further alleged that security personnel had faced resistance while enforcing access rules. “This situation amounts to harassment of our residents and poses significant safety and security risks,” she said, adding that the tower houses “government officials, celebrities, senior citizens and many women”.
Former IRS officer and Badrinath Tower secretary Deepak Pandit said the issue has continued despite several attempts at resolution. “The entire society comprises over 100 flats and accommodates more than 200 vehicles. When all vehicles use the same entry and exit gates, it leads to heavy traffic congestion and causes significant inconvenience to residents,” he said.
Pandit also highlighted concerns related to emergency preparedness and fire safety. “In the event of a fire, medical emergency or evacuation, the driveway and exit gates must remain completely accessible to residents as well as emergency response personnel,” he said.
Amarnath Tower has denied the allegations. Dr KB Agarwal, secretary of the society, claimed that Badrinath Tower had undertaken unauthorised modifications within the shared premises.
“Badrinath Tower has illegally installed a boom barrier, erected a security cabin and constructed unauthorised walls on the premises without permission,” Agarwal alleged.
He added that efforts to resolve the matter through discussions had not yielded a solution. “Despite our previous attempts to convene a joint meeting to amicably resolve these operational and infrastructural disputes, the matter remains unresolved,” he said.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
