5,997 files of city buildings missing from BMC dept

Weeks after HT reported that 314 files on real estate projects had gone missing from the civic body’s building proposals department, fresh data reveals the number of disappearing files runs into several thousands.

Weeks after HT reported that 314 files on real estate projects had gone missing from the civic body’s building proposals department, fresh data reveals the number of disappearing files runs into several thousands.

HT Image

In all, 5,997 files, relating to as many buildings in the eastern and western suburbs, are missing from different offices of the department, which deals with permissions for such projects.

A file is made for each proposed structure and contains all its details, including permissions and plans. In the absence of these files, the BMC has no proof of approvals granted to the project, meaning irregularities in the structure can go unchecked.

Activist Sharad Yadav, who filed the RTI application that revealed this information, said, “Files going missing hints at a builder-official collusion.”

BMC chief Sitaram Kunte told HT they will file an FIR and identify the officials responsible for the disappearance. “Once identified, they can face penalty, including up to five years in jail.”

HT had, on May 24 reported that files pertaining to real estate projects in the lucrative Bandra to Andheri had gone missing.