Mumbai builders want restrictions eased around defence areas

 

Following disputes between officials at defence establishments in Mumbai and major construction companies in the city, Maharashtra's powerful builders have sought the intervention of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to dilute restrictions on construction of tall buildings around military establishments in major cities.

 

According to sources in the construction industry, the redevelopment of 300 buildings in Mumbai alone have been

stuck as officials of the Army and Navy have objected to tall buildings coming up around defence establishments in the city. 

 

"Residents of dilapidated buildings near defence establishments are unable to redevelop their properties because of the restrictions imposed by the defence authorities," says Rajan Bandelkar, president, National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), which represents developers across the country.

 

Till 2016, construction around a 500-metre radius of defence establishments was prohibited. However since then the restrictions were limited to a 10-metre radius in the case of Army establishments. In the case of Naval establishments however, the 500-metre restriction continues to be in effect.

 

The Bombay High Court had earlier this year upheld the restriction around Naval establishments on security grounds after it was challenged legally by some builders.

 

According to NAREDCO several under-construction projects in the city have been stuck and residents whose buildings have been demolished for redevelopment have been left in the lurch.

 

According to information available from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, construction projects in the areas of Colaba, Worli, Kanjurmarg, Ghatkopar, Vikroli, Thane, Kandivali, Malad and Juhu overlook defence establishments in Mumbai.

 

Meanwhile officials of army establishments are objecting to buildings coming up even beyond the 10-metre radius.

 

The Local Military Authority (LMA) recently filed police complaints against buildings coming up in Kandivli and Malad near the army’s Central Ordnance Depots (CODs) are located as these structures overlooked the defence establishments. According to the defence officials, it would be possible for anti-national elements to carry out surveillance of the ordnance depots from the buildings around them.