Show cause notice issued to SRA CEO

The chief executive officer of the slum rehabilitation authority (SRA) has been issued a show cause notice for failing to follow an earlier high court order directing them to demolish a transit building at Santacruz (West), constructed on the road.

The chief executive officer of the slum rehabilitation authority (SRA) has been issued a show cause notice for failing to follow an earlier high court order directing them to demolish a transit building at Santacruz (West), constructed on the road.

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Justice RY Ganoo issued a show cause notice to SS Zende, CEO, SRA, while hearing a contempt petition filed by the Relief Road Housing Societies Association against SRA and developers of slum rehabilitation scheme at Daulat Nagar in Santacruz (West) for constructing a transit building on the road.

Counsel for SRA informed the court that they will demolish the building by December. However, the court asked them to demolish it by the end of March. Justice Ganoo said it was possible to demolish any structure in a short time with the help of modern technology.

Pooja Thorat, advocate for the association said contempt should be initiated because SRA failed to implement and continue to delay implementation of the order.

Additional government pleader, GW Mattos said the police will provide necessary protection required for carrying out the demolition work.

In 1999, the SRA cleared a slum rehabilitation scheme, which has been under litigation as local residents challenged construction in the high court. The high court had, however, made it clear in its order in 2001 that the adjacent 100 m road should be left open as per the development plan. However, the developers, Pioneer India Developers and HDIL, constructed five transit buildings.