The Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Thursday demolished four unauthorised floors containing 80 flats at a residential building in Sector 22, Kamothe, after finding that the construction had extended beyond the sanctioned 11-storey plan.
The civic action was carried out under the jurisdiction of Ward Committee C against the building located on plots 73 and 74. According to the PMC, the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th floors had been constructed without the required approvals.
The issue had earlier been raised by the Panvel mayor, following which the civic administration initiated proceedings against the alleged unauthorised construction.
Notices Issued Before Demolition
After conducting a hearing, the PMC had directed the concerned parties to remove the unauthorised portions themselves. A further notice issued on August 20 warned that the corporation would proceed with demolition under provisions of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act and the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966.
The notice also stated that the expenses incurred for removing the unauthorised construction would be recovered from those responsible.
80 Flats Across Four Floors
The building consists of two wings, A and B. Each of the four unauthorised floors contained 10 flats in each wing, resulting in 20 flats per floor and 80 flats across the four floors, according to the civic body.
The affected party had approached the Bombay High Court seeking a stay on the proposed demolition. However, the PMC said no stay had been granted by the court, allowing the civic body to proceed with the action.
The demolition was conducted in the presence of PMC Additional Commissioner Maheshkumar Meghmale, Deputy Commissioner Ravikiran Ghodke, Assistant Commissioner Dr Rupali Mane, unauthorised construction department head Amar Patil and senior police officials.
PMC Adopts Strict Approach
The civic administration said it would continue taking action against constructions carried out without mandatory permissions or beyond approved building plans.
The PMC reiterated that unauthorised structures would not receive protection and that enforcement would continue under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act and the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966.
The action in Kamothe comes amid heightened scrutiny of unauthorised construction in the rapidly developing Panvel region, with the civic body stressing compliance with sanctioned plans and statutory approvals.
Source: The Free Press Journal
