The state government has decided to review former civic chief Subodh Kumar’s policy decision to allow buildings above 28 metres on the Marine Drive heritage precinct and directed BMC chief Sitaram Kunte to submit a report after consulting the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC).
Advocate general Darius Khambata, on Monday, told the Bombay high court that Kumar had said that a no-objection certificate from the MHCC was not required for construction of high-rise buildings.
Khambata was responding to a public interest litigation filed by the Federation of Churchgate Residents, challenging the permission granted by Kumar to Vasant Sagar Properties to construct a 13-storey structure in place of the five-storey building in the heritage precinct.
A division bench of justice DY Chandrachud and justice Amjad Sayed issued a directive to the municipal commissioner to complete the exercise and submit a report to the state in 3 months.
Vasant Sagar Properties, however, maintained they had not violated any rule and had obtained all permissions necessary for construction of the structure, including basement, stilt, three floors for parking and upper residential premises.
Their counsel said the heritage precinct was yet to be notified and as it’s merely a proposed one, no restriction was applicable to constructions in the locality.
{{/usCountry}}Their counsel said the heritage precinct was yet to be notified and as it’s merely a proposed one, no restriction was applicable to constructions in the locality.
{{/usCountry}}