Residents cry foul over construction on agricultural land

Members of the New Link Road Residents Forum have alleged that construction debris is being dumped on agricultural land near IC Colony in Borivli to make way for a car showroom.

Members of the New Link Road Residents Forum have alleged that construction debris is being dumped on agricultural land near IC Colony in Borivli to make way for a car showroom.

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The land falls in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) I and hence is a no development zone.

Residents saw fresh debris being dumped on the plot on Wednesday.

They claim the showroom is being set up by a dealer for an automobile company and have lodged a complaint on the company’s website.

They have also written to the deputy commissioner of police (Zone XI) Sharda Raut.

“There is already a shed built on that land and patches are being cemented. It’s a farmland and there are mangroves surrounding it. How can any construction activity take place in a no development zone,” said Dr Mathew Peedikayil of the Forum.

“Some new cars have already been parked. There is no fencing for the land. With just one watchman in the night, anyone can steal a car part. I don’t think the automobile company would like to be associated with something that’s illegal,” added Harish Pandey.

The forum has also written letters to state environment secretary Valsa Nair Singh and collector Nirmal Deshmukh.

“We have sent an official to the site and the report will be available tomorrow,” said Deshmukh.