After 7 years, NMC begins to raze 3 illegal duplexes

NAGPUR: The seven-year long battle of RTI activist TH Naidu has finally borne fruits as the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, after serving a notice in 2006, started to demolish three duplexes constructed sans permission. The case relates to the Saptashrungi Vihar layout situated at Sonegaon.
Following directives from municipal commissioner Shyam Wardhane, assistant commissioner of NMC Laxmi Nagar zone GM Rathod and his team started to demolish the duplexes constructed on plot no-7, 19 and 20 on Saturday.The walls of the duplexes were demolished, and pillars and columns will be razed in the coming days.
TOI has highlighted the violation from December last year.
Naidu told TOI that the NMC should take possession of four plots, including plot no-8, which are under the NMC's control. "Layout's total area is 5,700 sq.mt land and its open space is 855 sq.mt. Saptashrungi Developers Private Limited did not hand over the open space to the NMC. I lodged complaints a number of times following which the notice was issued on the three illegal buildings on December 21, 2006 directing the developer to raze the construction within one month. Later, the NMC took over the open space of only 722.509 sq.mt, almost 1,425.60 sq ft less. After many complaints the NMC freezed the four plots for want of remaining portion of open space. I am pursing the case at many levels for last seven years. Now action has been taken only after Wardhane's strict directives," he said.
Naidu added that four plots are yet to be released by the NMC. "The developer had sold the plots without completing the formalities. Action should be taken against the developer," he said.