ANONYMOUS CIRCULAR WARNS BUILDERS ,ALERTS RESIDENTS
The Asian Age (Nov 2002)
By Skimmy Gupta
“The ignorance of law is no excuse in law “ is the footnote of the anonymous circular, which residents of western suburbs of Juhu Scheme, Santacruz, Khar and Bandra are receiving everyday and there is no end to their shock. Thousands of such circulars are being distributed to residents through newspapers, handbills, post etc and all are trying to figure out the actual sender of such circulars. This one-page circular cautions the landlords, tenants, estate brokers and builders about the rampant and gross violation of BMC rules in regards to illegal construction in these suburbs. Though the sender is still a mystery, but he has created a stir in landlords/builder lobby. As it further states that these landlords/builders should not relax and enjoy big money in big illegal constructions, because they can be booked under M.R.T.P Act, which can lead to imprisonment and halt their activities forever.
The circular exposes the working of hand-in-glove between builders and BMC officers at Bandra office (Building Proposal Department) with regards to the misuse of FSI (Floor Spacing Index) in extension of old buildings. In past 2-4 years, lacs of sq.ft of illegal construction worth crores of rupees have been carried out through which BMC has also incurred lose of crores of rupees by way of premium for open spaces, parking deficiency. The circular claims, “If thoroughly instigated, it may be one of the biggest scam in history of BMC.”
The circular educates the residents about various commonly used modus operandi of builder/architect-BMC nexus of BMC rules open violation with regards to FSI, Parking,Open Space deficiency,fire fitting rules which are as stated :
BMC APPROVED PLAN
All residential units of Building should be duplex-hence their internal staircase is approved free of FSI
There should be ducts adjacent to the illegal rooms
Double height is shown in certain areas of the building structure
Separate pergolas are provided on the terrace.
A special area for fire fitting etc is provided
ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION SITE
This staircase is missing and said area is converted in illegal rooms. Also instead of duplex, separate flats are sold
These rooms are illegally converted into toilets
The slab is illegally casted at normal height saving 50% FSI
They are covered with cement sheets and converted into rooms illegally
Such area is joined with flat to increase its saleable value.
Pravin J, a resident of Juhu Scheme says, “The circular is of immense help to people as many people are ignorant about rules and laws. And it cautions new flat purchasers/existing tenants to demand approved BMC plan from builder immediately and verified from architect before purchasing a flat. One’s unauthorized portion could be demolished by BMC even after years of occupation if one does not have necessary documents.”
Hemant Shah, a professional residing at Santacruz says, “At last someone has woken up and has the guts to challenge the rampant illegal constructions by so called big builders and their association with BMC.I hope they learn some lesson and stop destroying the beautiful suburbs”
===========================================================
By Skimmy Gupta
“The ignorance of law is no excuse in law “ is the footnote of the anonymous circular, which residents of western suburbs of Juhu Scheme, Santacruz, Khar and Bandra are receiving everyday and there is no end to their shock. Thousands of such circulars are being distributed to residents through newspapers, handbills, post etc and all are trying to figure out the actual sender of such circulars. This one-page circular cautions the landlords, tenants, estate brokers and builders about the rampant and gross violation of BMC rules in regards to illegal construction in these suburbs. Though the sender is still a mystery, but he has created a stir in landlords/builder lobby. As it further states that these landlords/builders should not relax and enjoy big money in big illegal constructions, because they can be booked under M.R.T.P Act, which can lead to imprisonment and halt their activities forever.
The circular exposes the working of hand-in-glove between builders and BMC officers at Bandra office (Building Proposal Department) with regards to the misuse of FSI (Floor Spacing Index) in extension of old buildings. In past 2-4 years, lacs of sq.ft of illegal construction worth crores of rupees have been carried out through which BMC has also incurred lose of crores of rupees by way of premium for open spaces, parking deficiency. The circular claims, “If thoroughly instigated, it may be one of the biggest scam in history of BMC.”
The circular educates the residents about various commonly used modus operandi of builder/architect-BMC nexus of BMC rules open violation with regards to FSI, Parking,Open Space deficiency,fire fitting rules which are as stated :
BMC APPROVED PLAN
All residential units of Building should be duplex-hence their internal staircase is approved free of FSI
There should be ducts adjacent to the illegal rooms
Double height is shown in certain areas of the building structure
Separate pergolas are provided on the terrace.
A special area for fire fitting etc is provided
ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION SITE
This staircase is missing and said area is converted in illegal rooms. Also instead of duplex, separate flats are sold
These rooms are illegally converted into toilets
The slab is illegally casted at normal height saving 50% FSI
They are covered with cement sheets and converted into rooms illegally
Such area is joined with flat to increase its saleable value.
Pravin J, a resident of Juhu Scheme says, “The circular is of immense help to people as many people are ignorant about rules and laws. And it cautions new flat purchasers/existing tenants to demand approved BMC plan from builder immediately and verified from architect before purchasing a flat. One’s unauthorized portion could be demolished by BMC even after years of occupation if one does not have necessary documents.”
Hemant Shah, a professional residing at Santacruz says, “At last someone has woken up and has the guts to challenge the rampant illegal constructions by so called big builders and their association with BMC.I hope they learn some lesson and stop destroying the beautiful suburbs”
===========================================================
Labels: City
posted by Skimmy @ June 20, 2008
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