Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed
municipal and revenue authorities to file a report within four
weeks on action taken against encroachments in the coastal
stretch of south Mumbai, the area where the infamous Adarsh
Society stands.
The direction came while hearing a PIL which alleged that
encroachment is rampant in -- Colaba, Cuff Parade, Backbay and
Marine Lines -- the areas under Coastal Regulation Zone where
construction is restricted.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Mohit Shah and
Justice S Kathawala asked Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai,
Collector-Mumbai and Additional Collector (Encroachment) to
file action taken reports (ATR) by December 23 and adjourned
the matter to January 2011.
The PIL was filed by a residents association several
years ago and after 2003 the authorities have filed no
progress report despite an HC order, petitioner`s lawyer Rui
Rodrigues said.
In 2000, the HC had appointed V Indulkar as a court
commissioner to survey the entire stretch. In his detailed
report dated January 31, 2001, Indulkar stated that several
hundred unauthorised structures were built in the area in
gross violation of law and recommended demolition of same,
Rodrigues said.
An affidavit was filed by a co-petitioner on December 31,
2004 pointing out that that the government authorities have
turned a deaf ear to the court commissioner`s suggestions and
have not taken any action yet.
PTI
