HC order puts real estate development on halt in Kalyan-Dombivli

The real estate development in the Kalyan-Dombivli belt has come to a halt, after a high court order recently asked the civic body to not issue any new approvals for constructions until a sewage plant is constructed there.

The real estate development in the Kalyan-Dombivli belt has come to a halt, after a high court order recently asked the civic body to not issue any new approvals for constructions until a sewage plant is constructed there.

Both Kalyan and Dombivli, located in the outskirts of the city, are favoured by a majority of property buyers because of the low-cost houses.

According to builders, the judgment is a major setback for the realty sector, which is already facing a slowdown. “Despite paying infrastructure fees and multiple taxes, we are being penalised because of the fault of the civic body,” said Paras Gundecha, chairman and managing director, Gundecha Group.

He said a temporary solution be worked out between the court and the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) so that a blanket ban on all approvals be lifted.

The ban was declared after one Kaustubh Gokhale filed a PIL that pointed out that a sewage treatment plant to be set up by the KDMC was lying in cold storage for want of sanction for more than 15 years. Gokhale said untreated sewage was being dumped in Ulhas river, destroying mangroves in the process.

Many feel the step was necessary, considering the health of the residents. Rajul Tandon, regional head – Mumbai, Square Yards Consulting, said the region lacks a proper waste disposal system, leading to pollution and subsequent health problems in the locality. “It is important for the civic body to put in place a proper waste disposal system, to revive the upcoming construction projects in the region,” said Tandon.