Govt denies meddling in Parel mill encroachment

MUMBAI: Chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Tuesday said the state government had in no way intervened to perpetuate a clutch of illegal structures, including Barista and a bowling alley, on the Phoenix Mill land at Lower Parel.
“It is the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) which should be monitoring the situation. If a structure comes up in violation of the development control (DC) rules or by an arbitrary change of user, the BMC administration can go ahead with action under the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act,’’ the chief minister said.
Mr Deshmukh’s intervention came in the course of a discussion, during question hour, on a spate of illegal structures that have mushroomed on mill lands in south-central Mumbai.The issue was raised by Dattaji Nalavade (Shiv Sena), Bashir Patel (NCP) and others. “I can see patently illegal structures coming up right before my eyes. I can see the Phoenix Mill structures from the window of my house,’’ said Mr Nalavade.
Earlier, the opposition Shiv Sena-BJP combine, led by leader of the opposition Narayan Rane, insisted that the question be kept aside in view of “inadequate’’ replies furnished by minister of state for urban development Jayadutt Kshirsagar, speaker Arun Gujarathi demurred.
Senior PWP MLA Ganpatrao Deshmukh backed the Sena-BJP’s demand. “Mr Nalavade has made several points which the minister should take note of and come up with a fresh answer,’’ Mr Ganpatrao Deshmukh said.
“Phoenix Mills have violated the DC rules, apart from effecting a change of user illegally. These structures have been done under the pretext of repairs,’’ Mr Rane pointed out. When the chief minister said the BMC was the proper authority to take action on Phoenix Mills, Mr Rane remarked, “We all know how the municipal commissioner of Mumbai functions.’’