BMC Takes Action Against Unauthorised Changes in 9 Flats at Mumbai’s Rustomjee Crown
Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started demolishing unauthorised constructions and alterations found in flats at the Rustomjee Crown residential complex in Prabhadevi, Mumbai.
The civic body said it carried out demolition work in nine flats over two days, following complaints of violations involving the sanctioned building plan and Floor Space Index (FSI) norms.
The BMC said notices had been issued to 138 of the 372 flats in the A and B wings of the high-rise over alleged unauthorised modifications.
The demolition drive began on August 24, when unauthorised structures in three flats were removed. The action continued the following day, taking the total number of affected flats to nine. The civic body said occupants would also be required to bear the cost of the demolition work.
According to the BMC, some residents had enclosed portions of common lobbies using wooden panels and lightweight Siporex blocks, effectively adding the spaces to their apartments. In other flats, parts of kitchen ducts and ventilation shafts were reportedly covered with mild steel plates and incorporated into the usable area.
The civic body also found an enclosed space being used as a storeroom in one flat, while parts of certain rooms had allegedly been added to kitchens using Siporex material.
Rustomjee Crown is a high-rise complex with three basements, a ground floor and 63 upper floors. The residential apartments are located from the 14th to the 63rd floors, while the lower levels include parking and other utility facilities.
The BMC said the demolition action was taken only in cases where the required statutory process had been completed and formal orders had been issued.
For the operation, the civic body deployed 15 workers, two supervisors, four engineers and eight police personnel. It said further action would be taken in other cases after the necessary legal procedures are completed.
Meanwhile, the Rustomjee Group said the project was constructed according to plans approved by the competent authorities under the 1991 Development Control Regulations. The developer denied having any violations and said it was cooperating with the authorities.
The group also said it had provided the information requested by the civic body and was encouraging residents to take corrective measures wherever necessary.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
