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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Work on at synagogue despite notice: Plaint to civic chief
Mumbai: The standoff over "illegal repair work" at the Magen David Jewish synagogue in Byculla continues despite the stop work notice issued by BMC. Complainant Moshe Shek who has been pursuing the alleged illegal restoration of the heritage structure met BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani on Thursday. Shek, himself a Jew, revisited the synagogue on June 6 and found that labourers were continuing "heavy repair work" behind closed doors despite lack of requisite permissions. Police were called to the site. Synagogue trust chairperson Solomon Sopher said no violations were being committed and that everything was in consonance with the law. "Propping work is on to safeguard schoolchildren who are only about 50ft away. No additional repair work is undertaken until the necessary permission is obtained." Arun Chavan, designated officer from BMC's E ward, said the trust has appointed an architect and a structural consultant. "We have been informed that scaffolding made of mild steel has been erected to support the ceiling. As approvals can take time, it is necessary to have temporary support to ensure the ceiling does not collapse." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025: Steel Suppliers From Mexico At Lowest Prices (Take A Look) Steel Suppliers | search ads Search Now Undo He said the architect confirmed that the ceiling is wooden and requires support to avoid any structural failure. "We shared photos of the structure and the scaffolding with the complainant, but he remained unconvinced." Shek told TOI, "Community members informed me that a lot of civil work was happening behind closed doors even after the notice was issued. I called BMC, which denied any such work taking place. On June 6, my team shot videos of labourers with gas cutting machines, welding irons all working... I met the building and factories officer on June 11, seeking the permission letters granted. Thereafter, I met Gagrani, who promised to monitor the matter. I also approached the civic heritage department." Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
BMC orders to stop ‘unauthorised' repair works at 170-year-old heritage synagogue in Mumbai's Byculla
Magen David Synagogue – the 170-year-old historical structure of the Jewish community in in South Mumbai – has come under controversy after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation issued a stop work notice claiming that the trustees of the synagogue were carrying out repair work without seeking due approval. BMC claimed that the trustees initiated an allegedly 'unauthorised' repair work of the structure. The BMC has told The Indian Express, that they have sought a report from the trustees as the civic officials have not granted any permission to carry out the work in the heritage structure. 'The trustees of the synagogue were carrying out repair works and we have issued them a stop work notice. We did not receive any application from them seeking NOC before going ahead with the repair works. For the time being, they have been asked to submit a report to us by providing the plans of repair works, and all the documents that are with them. After we go through the documents, the next course of action will be decided by us,' an official said. Located in the densely populated Byculla that houses a substantial population of the members from the Baghdadi Jew community, the synagogue symbolizes their diverse heritage and features distinctive architecture, including a blue facade, large frontal columns, and towering clock tower. The synagogue's interiors also feature bright blue paints, fluorescent lights, and a double-height sanctuary with a gallery. The Synagogue is a grade 2B heritage structure and the state government's law states that the managers of these properties will have to acquire a consent letter from the BMC before carrying out repair works in any of these structures. The repair works started last week and the issue was promptly highlighted by restaurateur Moshe Shek. 'I received messages from our community members from abroad who asked me to check the issue. They had received photos and videos of the building being demolished and had shared the same with me. Following this, I visited the Synagogue on May 18 and was shocked to see that the entire structure was largely pulled down,' Shek told The Indian Express. He said that at present, the columns and pillars of the property stands completely damaged with the main-staircases being entirely removed. 'I asked one of the workers who was present there about who is executing the work, but the worker ran away. Later the trustees came, they manhandled me and stopped me from taking any photographs and videos,' he added. Shek said that the next day he wrote a letter to Mumbai's municipal commissioner and visited the local civic ward office to lodge a complaint. He also filed a complaint at the police station about the trustees manhandling him, following which the authorities prompted into action with BMC issuing a 'stop-work' notice. 'I had grown up in this locality and all my ceremonies had happened in this synagogue. Therefore, it is absolutely appalling to see the structure being pulled out in such an unprofessional manner without informing the community members,' Shek said. Meanwhile, Solomon Sopher, chairperson of the Sir Jacob Sassoon Charity Trust that manages the Synagogue, refuted the allegations saying that they have carried out only the basic waterproofing works so as to make it ready for restoration work. 'The structure was not at all razed in the manner like how the complainant has described. The synagogue is 170 years old. Keeping in mind the old age and heritage value of the property a decision was made for restoring the project. We were awaiting the necessary permission from the authorities and decided to do some basic waterproofing work to prevent seepage during the rains since monsoon is just 10 days away. At the same time we were hopeful that the permissions would arrive, following which the planned work would be taken up accordingly,' Sopher told The Indian Express. Speaking to the Indian Express, Samajwadi Party MLA and former corporator from Byculla Rais Shaikh said, 'This event needs to be scrutinised by the highest of the civic administration level. Earlier also I had received complaints that the Synagogue was being leased out for social events like marriage due to which the sewer lines were getting choked due to improper usage. These things need to be looked into thoroughly by the administration,'
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Time of India
BMC to issue stopwork notice to synagogue over ‘repairs'
Mumbai: The BMC on Tuesday began the process of issuing a stop work notice to the authorities of the historic Magen David Synagogue in Byculla after it found that massive repairs were being carried out without civic permissions . The Jewish house of worship is a heritage structure that is 170-years-old. The civic action came after South Mumbai restaurateur Moshe Shek , himself a Jew, posted a video clip and pictures on social media Tuesday, claiming that the historic synagogue was being "bulldozed". Shek also apprised BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and local civic and police officials of the matter. His visuals of the synagogue's ripped interiors evoked alarm among citizens, activists, heritage lovers and indeed, the Jewish community. "A heritage structure is being bulldozed with zero permissions in place. I have lodged my complaints with the authorities..." he wrote. Arun Chavan, designated officer from E ward which oversees Byculla, said that civic staff was sent first on Monday evening immediately after a complaint was received, but as the premises was locked, they had to return. On Tuesday evening they went to deliver the stop work notice but as the synagogue was shut again, the notice will be delivered on Wednesday as an acknowledgement of receipt would be required. "When our staff inspected the premises earlier on Tuesday, demolition work was being carried out. Prima facie it appears that the community wasn't aware of the permissions needed. However as an immediate step we are in the process of issuing a notice under section 354A of the MMC Act 1888 to stop any kind of work till they receive the permissions," said Chavan. In case the trust fails to comply, the BMC can initiate penal proceedings. Shek told TOI, "On Sunday I visited the site and was shocked to see the demolition work. The columns were being broken and debris filled into gunny bags. When I was taking pictures, a woman affiliated with the trust snatched my phone and attacked me. I filed a complaint at Nagpada police station and wrote to the municipal commissioner and the local ward office. " Solomon Sopher, chairman of the Sir Jacob Sassoon Charity Trust which oversees the synagogue termed Shek's allegations "false and malicious". He said, "We had noticed structural faults in this 170-year-old structure and approached a restoration architect whose estimated cost for the project was Rs 9.7 crore. This was beyond our the trust decided to do basic strengthening of the beams and columns and prevent seepage caused by the impending monsoons. "
