More illegal buildings face bulldozer

They were constructed on Cidco land at Airoli without obtaining land title, development permission

AIROLI: Continuing with its demolition drive, the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) on Thursday demolished two illegal buildings in Diva gaon in Airoli.

The drive follows a high court order and a direction by Yogesh Mhase, additional collector and chief controller of unauthorised construction (CCUC) to take strict action against unauthorised constructions in the developing nodes of Navi Mumbai.

A two-storey fully constructed building was the first to be demolished at Sector 9 area of Diva gaon in Airoli. The demolition squad then took up a fourstorey structure on plot 64, 65 and 66, reportedly constructed by Dinesh Kadam. Although the building was reportedly uninhabited, efforts seemed to have been made to show that there were residents. Clothes were drying and TV antennas had been installed in the building.

Cidco officials also demolished a partly-constructed structure on plot E-4 and a boundary that had been erected around plots 36, 37 and 28.

A crowd had gathered in the area as the demolition squad reached the spot with police bandobast. However, the situation was handled tactfully and no untoward incidents were reported. The crowd dispersed as the demolition continued throughout the day.

“The buildings were constructed on Cidco land without any land title and development permission from Cidco. The authority then removed the encroachment according to the law,” said SR Rathod, assistant controller of unauthorised constructions.

“We have a list of 219 illegal buildings and structures that have been issued notices. We will ensure that they are all razed in accordance with the law,” said Rathod.

In the past, joint managing director of Cidco V Radha had said, “We have decided not to tolerate any encroachment. Immediate first information report will be lodged against Cidco, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation or any other government department official and private individuals who support any illegal construction in any way.”

“We have started the process with several cases being filed this year. We are also going after the big targets,” Radha had said.

On the controversial structures built by the project-affected people (PAP), Radha had said, “It is for all to see if the multi-storey buildings are need-based constructions of PAP. Our actions are according to the court order.”