An under-construction public toilet project valued at approximately Rs 2.3 crore was demolished by the City and Industrial Development Corporation near Utsav Chowk in Kharghar after it was allegedly built on land owned by the planning authority without the required permissions.
The project had been undertaken by the Panvel City Municipal Corporation (PCMC), which is alleged to have proceeded with construction without obtaining a no-objection certificate (NOC) from CIDCO. By the time demolition action was carried out on Tuesday, a substantial portion of the structure had already been completed.
The incident has sparked criticism over the use of public funds and the approval process followed for the project. Following the demolition, a corporator demanded accountability from officials involved, questioning how a civic project of this scale progressed without proper verification of land ownership and statutory clearances.
According to reports, the proposal for the public toilet was initially raised by a former corporator, following which it received approval from the municipal corporation. Construction subsequently commenced, allegedly without confirming whether the site belonged to the civic body or another government agency.
The demolition has reignited concerns about administrative oversight and project planning within local civic authorities. Questions are also being raised about potential financial losses resulting from the destruction of a nearly completed public facility funded by taxpayer money.
The matter is expected to draw further scrutiny as demands grow for an inquiry into the approvals granted for the project and the circumstances that led to the expenditure on a structure ultimately deemed unauthorised.
Source: The Times of India
