Builder fails to rehabilitate slum dwellers, flouts DCR norms

Over 90 families that are currently living in transit camps in Parel’s Ambewadi have complained that the structures they are living in have become weak. These residents are awaiting their permanent flats as promised by a city developer five years ago. Their wait to see their dream home is still distant.

Esque Finmark Pvt Ltd, a city developer, is already constructing one of the tallest buildings on the same plot at Parel. He has not only failed to rehabilitate the slum dwellers but has also been accused of flouting norms of providing affordable housing to the original tenants.

The developer is yet to provide permanent rehabilitation houses to slum dwellers whose land he has used for the construction of two sky scrapers. The builder had promised to construct the rehabilitation buildings within two years, however till now there are no signs of even stilts.

The families allege that the developer has been delaying the construction work of their rehabilitation structure but has conveniently constructed his 64 storey tower.

Sachin Lanjekar, a resident of the transit camp, said, “It is tough to live in transit camps as it is very congested and the structure is weak. The developer had assured us that our permanent flats will be constructed in two years. He has constructed his tower and has started the construction of his second high rise on the same plot, however, he is yet to construct our rehabilitation building.”

Baban Kanavaje, former councillor and district president of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), alleged that the developer has not only flouted norms but also has failed to get permission from the civic body’s Development Plan (DP) department for the construction of his towers. Kanavaje said that the land is marked as an Industrial Zone on which the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s permitted the developer to construct residential buildings under Development Control Regulations 56 (3) (c). Repeated attempts were made to contact the developer but he could not be contacted.

Speaking exclusively to the Free Press Journal, Kanavaje said, “In 2003, the developer, Esque Finmark, had constructed a 14 storey residential building in an industrial zone in Parel. He then demolished the structure for unknown purpose. In 2012, the developer began the construction of his high rise on the same plot and clubbed an alongside slum plot for which the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) issued the commencement certificate. However, he has avoided taking permission from the civic body for the same.”

Kanavaje added that the developer will first have to construct the rehabilitation building if he takes permission from BMC. “According to an amendment in the DCR 56 (3) (c) in 2007, the developer will have to construct flats not more than 500 sq ft in 20 percent area of the entire plot. The developer has deceived the slum dwellers who are now suffering in the transit camps since the structure has turned weak. How can the SRA fail to take action against the builder?”

This FPJ reporter also noticed that the tower has been named after Lodha group, however, the documents of the project state that the developer is Esque Finmark Pvt Ltd. Kanavaje has written to Jayant Patil, NCP group leader, urging him to take strict action against the developer. Kanavaje said that if the developer fails to provide flats to the slum dweller, he will stage a protest against the project.

Esque Finmark Pvt Ltd, a city developer, is constructing one of the tallest buildings on the same plot at Parel, but is yet to provide rehabilitation houses to slum dwellers whose land was used.