89 illegal buildings in Digha: RTI

Times of India: Navi Mumbai: Sunday, 02 November 2014.

A Right to Information (RTI) query by Digha resident Vishwadeep Jawre (27) has revealed that there are 89 unauthorized constructions of residential-cum-commercial buildings in Digha.

Jawre alleged that despite complaining to the concerned authorities at Digha H-ward office and deputy municipal commissioner of the anti-encroachment department, the structures have not been demolished.

Using the RTI Act, Jawre, in his application dated September 3, had sought information about the details of the buildings in Digha. Ganesh Aghav, NMMC's public information officer-cum H-ward officer, replied on October 10. The reply (a copy is with TOI) revealed that there are 89 unauthorized structures in Digha. They are multi-storey structures from G+3 to G+6. A majority of such constructions are in Digha MIDC area 38 are in Bindumadhav Nagar, 29 in Digha (W) on the land belonging to the revenue department, eight are on Cidco land in Ishwar Nagar and seven each in Digha (E) and Krushnawadi in Digha (W).

When asked about details of the RTI application, Jawre said, "A six-storey illegal structure is under construction just behind NMMC's Digha ward office and another illegal building has already been constructed on its left. One more six-storey illegal building is in full public view near Mukand company along the arterial Thane-Belapur Road." Such constructions are carried out by the land mafia, he added.

Many slum areas in Digha have been transformed into high-rise buildings, whose construction is completed within five to six months and the flats are sold off at throwaway prices of about Rs 5-6 lakh.

"Needy home buyers invest their money on such flats despite knowing that the construction could be of poor quality, with the hope that someday these illegal constructions would be authorized by the government," he said.

Babu Kankad, Cidco's controller of unauthorized construction, said, "Recently, Cidco demolished illegal chawls and one four-storey building in Digha. A mega drive in Digha has been planned and will be undertaken with the support of other government agencies."

NMMC commissioner Abasaheb Jarhad said, "NMMC has received letters from Cidco and MIDC for demolishing unauthorized buildings in Digha H-ward. The drives has been scheduled on November 5 and 12."

He added that the buildings have been constructed on either Cidco or MIDC lands. "It is their responsibility to prevent such constructions. NMMC will be able to provide necessary help such as infrastructure and manpower. As per the high court orders, it is the responsibility of the concerned public authority to protect their land from encroachment," Jarhad said.