Adarsh could lose land

Even as it faces demolition after an order from the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF), the controversial Adarsh society is in more trouble. Ketaki Ghoge reports.

Even as it faces demolition after an order from the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF), the controversial Adarsh society is in more trouble.

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The society could lose the ground it stands on because the state government is thinking of revoking the allotment of land to the society, following the MoEF’s order on Sunday.

The MoEF has ordered that the 31-storey tower be demolished because it violated coastal regulation zone norms.

The revenue department allots plots to housing societies on the condition that they do not violate any state or central laws. If a society violates a law, the allotment order can be revoked.

Sources in the state secretariat said since the central ministry had ruled that the society had violated environmental laws, the revenue department has enough reason to revoke the allotment orders issued in 2004 granting the society the 3,800-square-metre plot in Colaba.

“Even the letter of intent issued to the society in 2003 clearly stated that permission for construction in a coastal regulation zone should be taken. Now, it stands proven that the society did not take the mandatory environmental clearance and violated the permissible floor space index,’’ a senior bureaucrat said on condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to talk to the media.

“The state is seeking legal opinion on the issue. We have to revoke allotment but it is likely to be done after three weeks, when the high court gives its verdict and the picture is clearer,’’ another official said, requesting anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media.