Brihanmumbai municipal corporation (BMC) had asked the commercial establishment running from the dilapidated Esplanade Mansion in South Mumbai to close down the shutters as notice was being served for its demolition. BMC has served notice to 9 commercial establishments asking them to stop operating from the premises until the Indian institute of technology Bombay submits structural stability report. With an aim to avoid any dangerous incident as preventive measures BMC has served the notice. The building being 150 year old, many famous restaurants, shops are asked to shut down due to the dilapidated condition. With regard to the demolition of 150 years old Esplanade mansion, Bombay High Court directed MHADA to take precautionary steps for the safety of pediatricians on June 21st 2019. After the direction the MHADA took precautionary steps before putting up barricades around the building prohibiting pediatricians from using the footpath around the structure. From the observation of justice Dharmadhikari and Gautam Patel the upper portion and balconies of the building were yet to be covered and the chances that some of the upper portion may collapse. The bench also give directions to MHADA that the Brihanmumbai municipal corporation and joint commissioner of Mumbai police shall conduct meeting on the safety measures to be undertaken around the building and to submit the report within two weeks on the issue. It was contended by the counsel on the part of BMC Anil Sakhare that according to Heritage expert the building can be restored by reparation and there is no need of demolition but yet no final opinion is put forward by the Heritage committee. Presently the court has withheld the contention and stated that a safety measure is the first priority.
On June 6 2019 the Bombay High Court asked MHADA to submit the precautions it proposed to take while bringing down the Esplanade mansion. Also MHADA issued eviction notices to all the occupants of the building which was in dilapidated condition. It was brought to notice of the division bench by MHADA lawyer PG Lad that 104 occupants already vacated the building and 64 offices in the building had lock on them and owners had not responded to the eviction notices. As the deadline is over MHADA will remove locks seize all the articles and later will handover to rightful owners. When Court asked MHADA about the precautionary steps, advocate Atul Damale appearing on behalf of occupants stated that MHADA must give them transit occupation elsewhere in the vicinity. Also the bench gave green signal to the owners who opt to file civil suit to resolve the dispute.
Courtesy/By: Renu Kathale
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27 Jun 2019
