Illegal constructions in Vasai Virar: Activists demand SIT probe into
VASAI: Activists in Vasai Virar are calling for a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to investigate the continuous illegal construction activities in the region, following an RTI disclosure revealing 4,95,285 illegal units being charged property tax/house tax (gharpatti).
These unauthorised structures are putting excessive pressure on the city's infrastructure, affecting water, electricity, and transport services for legitimate tax-paying residents. The senior officials of Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) have been criticised for their alleged negligent approach towards
land mafia encroachment
and non-compliance with court orders.
You Can Also Check:
Mumbai AQI
|
Weather in Mumbai
|
Bank Holidays in Mumbai
|
Public Holidays in Mumbai
Terence Hendriques, who filed a PIL regarding illegal construction in VVCMC jurisdiction, questions why cases under MRTP (Maharashtra Regional & Town Planning Act, 1966) aren't filed against developers when they submit self-attested affidavits acknowledging illegal construction whilst applying for gharpatti.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
New Container Houses Vietnam (Take A Look At The Prices)
Container House
Search Now
He notes that despite the presence of approximately 5 lakh illegal units, the former municipal commissioner in March 2021 reported only 2,817 illegal structures to the court. Hendriques emphasises the need for the Maharashtra chief minister to establish an SIT to address this issue.
Deepak Rao, who filed a PIL with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to protect a water body in Chinchoti (Vasai Taluka), highlights what he called the casual attitude of VVCMC officials towards court cases and RTI applications. He mentions that AMC Rajendra Kadam was fined Rs 25,000 for delayed RTI responses. Despite ongoing court proceedings, illegal construction continues on a reclaimed water body allegedly controlled by Virendra Singh, a person with multiple FIRs against him.
The complainants are compelled to seek legal intervention due to VVCMC's inaction against illegal construction and their reluctance to file MRTP cases against the land mafia. For instance, despite two MRTP notices, no FIR has been filed against Irshad Khan, who allegedly constructed illegal commercial establishments spanning 2-3 lakh square feet in Pelhar, Nalasopara. Additionally, approximately 30-35 acres of land in Wakanpada, Pelhar, Nalasopara East has been illegally developed after destroying hillocks, with forest land within VVCMC jurisdiction also being encroached upon.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
Fire at club in Basistha kills man, damages Rs 20k property
Guwahati: A 65-year-old man was charred to death in a fire accident in the city's Basistha area early on Monday morning. According to the report from the Lokhra unit of fire and emergency services, the incident happened at Mahendra Mohan Laheri Sishu Udyan club in Basistha Chariali. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The deceased, identified as Naresh Chahani, was sleeping in one of the rooms at the club. Report states that the fire call was made at 6.25 am, and a fire tender was dispatched to the location, which was approximately 9 kms from the station. The report adds that the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. A team from Basistha police station was also present at the location. They have initiated an investigation. Basistha PS OC Kapil Pathak said, "We have begun the preliminary investigation, and suspect that the fire might have been caused due to a short circuit. However, we cannot confirm anything as the investigation is ongoing. The body has been handed over to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital for an autopsy." Officials estimate that property worth Rs 20,000 was damaged, while an estimated Rs 9.8 lakh worth of property was saved. "The fire tender returned to the station at 9.02 am after the fire was extinguished and the area was declared safe," an official from the fire and emergency services said.
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Tiff over cigarette price: Vendor assaults man with helmet
Bengaluru: A late-night argument over the price of a cigarette turned violent when a 29-year-old private firm employee was assaulted by a roadside tea vendor in Basaveshwaranagar. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The incident occurred near Navrang Bridge at 11.50pm on June 4. As per the complaint filed by Kumaraswamy, a senior executive at a private firm, he stopped by a roadside tea vendor to buy a cigarette. Kumaraswamy asked vendor Sanjay, 32, to give him a cigarette for which the latter sought Rs 25. Kumaraswamy questioned why Sanjay was charging Rs 25 when the actual price is Rs 17. He told the vendor that a demand of Rs 20 would be reasonable as it was late. However, Sanjay turned aggressive, stating he charged the same amount every night and told Kumaraswamy to leave if he wasn't willing to pay. Soon the argument heated up and Kumaraswamy questioned whether Sanjay has a licence to sell cigarettes at night. Angered by his question, Sanjay assaulted Kumaraswamy. When Kumaraswamy attempted to retaliate, Sanjay grabbed his helmet and struck him multiple times causing serious injury near his eye. Profusely bleeding, Kumaraswamy was rushed to KC General hospital by his friends. The following day, Kumaraswamy filed a complaint. Basaveshwaranagar police arrested Sanjay and released him on station bail. An officer confirmed that Sanjay had expressed his intention to file a counter-complaint, but since he had assaulted Kumaraswamy and was operating without due permission at night, police warned him against repeating such behaviour.
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Jaipur cops arrest ‘supplier' with smack worth Rs 1.6cr
Jaipur: Crime branch of Jaipur police Monday arrested a 39-year-old drug trafficker with 530 grams of smack worth Rs 1.6 crore in his possession. Deputy commissioner of police (crime) Kundan Kanwariya said the man was identified as Ram Rup Mali, a native of Sawai Madhopur district. A special police team monitored Mali's movements for some time before intercepting him near Kho Nagoriyan. Officials said he supplied drugs for the past few months to local distributors linked to larger trafficking syndicates. During questioning, Mali reportedly admitted that he sourced the contraband from a man named Sanu Khan, a resident of Aklera in Jhalawar district. He further disclosed that he supplied smack in Jaipur for the past 2–3 months and was working for prominent local traffickers, including Ashok alias Telia Sansi, Vicky Sansi, and Pintu Sansi. Police said Mali supplied the narcotics twice a month, and the payments were transferred to the Jhalawar-based suppliers through e-Mitra platforms to avoid detection. The funds generated from the illegal trade were used to support his personal lifestyle and hobbies, officials added. The crime branch is now tracing the broader network of traffickers operating between Jhalawar and Jaipur. "Efforts are underway to locate other suspects and identify other financial links used in the illegal drug trade. The accused was booked under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act, and further investigation is ongoing," Kanwariya said. Jaipur: Crime branch of Jaipur police Monday arrested a 39-year-old drug trafficker with 530 grams of smack worth Rs 1.6 crore in his possession. Deputy commissioner of police (crime) Kundan Kanwariya said the man was identified as Ram Rup Mali, a native of Sawai Madhopur district. A special police team monitored Mali's movements for some time before intercepting him near Kho Nagoriyan. Officials said he supplied drugs for the past few months to local distributors linked to larger trafficking syndicates. During questioning, Mali reportedly admitted that he sourced the contraband from a man named Sanu Khan, a resident of Aklera in Jhalawar district. He further disclosed that he supplied smack in Jaipur for the past 2–3 months and was working for prominent local traffickers, including Ashok alias Telia Sansi, Vicky Sansi, and Pintu Sansi. Police said Mali supplied the narcotics twice a month, and the payments were transferred to the Jhalawar-based suppliers through e-Mitra platforms to avoid detection. The funds generated from the illegal trade were used to support his personal lifestyle and hobbies, officials added. The crime branch is now tracing the broader network of traffickers operating between Jhalawar and Jaipur. "Efforts are underway to locate other suspects and identify other financial links used in the illegal drug trade. The accused was booked under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act, and further investigation is ongoing," Kanwariya said.
