BMC ordered to return acquired land to builder

In a major set back to the citizens of eastern suburbs, the proposal of constructing a super speciality hospital with a budget of Rs 150 crore is now delayed for another few years.

The Supreme Court and High Court has ordered the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to return the land taken from Runwal builder to them.

On Wednesday, corporators of all parties slammed the BMC's law department for not arguing strongly against the builder in the High Court and the Supreme Court. The corporators in the Improvements Committee asked the Commissioner Ajoy Mehta to take strict action against the BMC law officers.

The builder approached the courts demanding the 8,000 sq mt land be returned to him in order to construct a road on his property and both the courts ruled in the favour of the builder.

BMC has procured around 18, 000 sq mt land in Bandhup for a super speciality hospital for which tenders and Transfer Development Right (TDR) process have been completed.

Jyoti Alwani, corporator of BJP, vehemently demanded to bring the issue on record till the next meeting.

Despite the demand made by the BJP corporators Bala Nar, president of the Improvements Committee and Sena corporator remained firm and allowed the proposal to be kept back for next meeting. As the Chairman ignored the demands made by the BJP, they all walked out of the committee meeting with heated argument.