Adarsh-like CRZ violation at Worli tower

In a violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules similar to the controversial Adarsh housing society case, Sea Green Housing Society, a 14-storey high-rise at Worli sea face, may face action for bypassing the rules and not getting approval from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).

In a violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules similar to the controversial Adarsh housing society case, Sea Green Housing Society, a 14-storey high-rise at Worli sea face, may face action for bypassing the rules and not getting approval from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).

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The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), which has been scrutinising complaints against the society, has asked the civic body why plans for the building were amended thrice (in 2006, 2009 and 2010) without the matter being referred to it.

The MCZMA has asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) not to grant any further permission to the building and not allow further construction.

It has also called for a written report from the BMC on Floor Space Index utilised for the building. It has directed the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board to undertake a site visit to ensure stop-work is implemented, and report the current stage of construction to the panel.

“This case is similar to Adarsh in the sense that the building was never referred to coastal body for clearance,” said a senior official on the panel.

The BMC, on its part, has deflected blame on the state’s urban development department for issuing a letter that only new proposals submitted after the March 2003 notification required coastal body clearance. The BMC also claimed that the building had consumed only 1.33 FSI.