Times
of India: Nagpur: Friday, 20 February 2015.
An RTI enquiry
filed by an alert citizen has brought to fore a brazen violation of Floor Space
Index (FSI) norms in which more than 7,500 square feet construction has been
done on a plot of 2,200 square feet in Jaripatka.
Nagpur
Municipal Corporation's (NMC) reply to an enquiry filed by Jaripatka-based
businessman Ravi Chandwani revealed that owner of a residential building
situated near Punshi Hospital, Jaripatka, has overused the FSI. When TOI
visited the site, it found that five flats and a duplex had been constructed in
the plot area. "Apart from breaking the FSI norms, no parking space has
been provided for the flat owners. The fact that NMC sanctioned the building
map raises doubt over the effective working of the civic body," said
Chandwani. A city-based builder on the condition of anonymity informed that as
per the rules, construction of maximum 3,000-3,500 square feet is permitted on
a plot area of 2,200 square feet.
After getting
NMC reply's last year, Chandwani made repeated complaints to the then NMC commissioner
Shyam Wardhane, Ashi Nagar zone officials and Town-planning department but all
went unheard. "I ran from pillar to post and submitted copies of the RTI
enquiry but no action was taken against the unauthorized construction," he
said. When TOI contacted Ashi Nagar's assistant commissioner Harish Raut, he
assured to look into the matter and hurry up the procedure. "After proper
investigation is done, we will take action against the building owner," he
said.
Interestingly,
the Ashi Nagar zone had already issued a notice to the owner under relevant
sections of MRTP Act but Raut seemed unaware of it. Chandwnai also claimed
corruption in the zonal office had led to this situation.
Present owner
of the building Hitesh Jeswani accepted having received a notice from NMC and
claimed they have submitted a reply. "Chandwani is taking revenge from us
as we had some financial disputes. The entire Jaripatka is filled with
unauthorized constructed buildings but he targeted me," he added. He did
not deny violation of the norms.
The matter
has increased the list of unauthorized constructions in the city due to
negligence of civic body. Social activists slammed NMC officials for their
apathetic attitude and asked them to be more honest about such matters.
"Such cases clearly indicate signs of mutual understanding between NMC's
town-planning department and the owners. Unauthorized construction should be
identified at initial stages itself and such maps should not be
sanctioned," said social activist Madhukar Kukde.
Another
activist pointed out the civic body only aimed at generating revenue and this
had given rise to such malpractices. "The officials should go into details
and conduct proper site inspection before giving green signal," he added.
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