At least five new building works were initiated in B-ward – comprising entire area from Mohammed Ali Road to Agripada – during these days.
One of the newly constructed buildings in B-ward of BMC
When the city was holidaying during Diwali, there was one group that was busy working – Mumbai’s construction mafia. At least five new building works were initiated in B-ward – comprising entire area from Mohammed Ali Road to Agripada – during these days. Buzz is that Mumbai’s underworld, backed by politicians, is making slow but steady entry into the illegal construction business. “It involves less investment, but more profit. Dilapidated buildings are purchased at small price and construction is carried out with minimal costs. No piling or foundation work is involved and the building is raised with support of iron beams,” said a source.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –> “They get permission for carrying out repairs, and once it’s obtained, the original building is demolished and a new one is raised. “The rates of such buildings are fixed according to the location. While the tenants are suitably rehabilitated, the additional space created is sold out at a good price,” the source added. Speaking to dna, MN Singh, former commissioner of police said he won’t be surprised by the news that the underworld is into illegal constructions. “Real estate and film production were always their favourite business. But the question is, why is civic body not acting even after illegal buildings are popping up in daylight,” he said. At least three constructions of illegal buildings are underway on Memonwada Road in Mandvi. Building no.51 – which was originally ground-plus-two floors – has been raised to 11 floors in just 45 days. Building no.55/1 is also demolished under the guise of repairs and work is being carried out day and night. Similarly building no.81 on the same road is also being reconstructed. Same is the case with building no.111 on Zakaria Masjid Street in Mohammed Ali Road. Shrinivas Kilaje, assistant commissioner of B-ward refused to get into the details, but said he has learnt about the illegal buildings and was in the process of preparing a report after investigation. “We are in the process of digging out the details,” he said. “We have list of such buildings and are in process of taking action,” an official from Building & Factory Department of B ward told dna. He however failed to reply on why the buildings were allowed to be razed in the first place. “We are inquiring into the fund flow of a building constructed in Pydhonie. We would ask the civic body if there are other such projects in which suspicious money flow is involved,” said deputy commissioner of police, detection, Dhananjay Kulkarni.
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