NMMC razes illegally built Seawoods building

NAVI MUMBAI: A ground plus 3 structure, Shiv Complex, in sector 48 of Seawoods, Nerul, was demolished by the NMMC on Wednesday, stating that it was an illegal construction.

The land was allotted by Cidco to a social welfare organization. “The plot measuring 200 sq m was meant to be utilized exclusively for women’s welfare activities. But it was found the area was being misused for commercial purposes,” said additional civic chief Ankush Chavan.

The NMMC sent a notice to Jagruti Mahila Mandal on July 11, asking them to rectify the violations, failing which it would start demolishing the property. An appeal filed by the mandal for a stay on the demolition was rejected by the court.

The structure also reportedly did not have an OC. “No application was made for an OC and a plinth certificate wasn’t taken, thereby making the structure’s construction illegal. Even Cidco cancelled the allotment in 2015,” Chavan said.

The building was used for running a gymnasium, a yoga centre and a builder’s office. Meanwhile, proprietors of the gym said they haven’t got any notices.

“We invested Rs 20 lakh to develop the gym a few months back. Why couldn’t NMMC act when the construction was on,” said Dipesh Shetty, the gym’s owner.

The mandal claimed services offered in the building were provided on a discount to women. “We erred on failing to take an OC,” said chairman Kavita Wadekar.