Anjaya Anparthi | tnn | Dec 16, 2018, 03:40 IST
Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is neglecting its own norms to ‘protect’ unauthorized constructions of influential persons.
RTI activist TH Naidu has obtained documents related to two commercial buildings — one housing Gurudeo Motors’ two-wheeler showroom and other with Patanjali store situated on Inner Ring Road between Khamla Square and Pratap Nagar square.
Documents revealed that NMC’s Laxmi Nagar Zone issued notice dated March 17, 2017, to the building housing the showroom under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act. Similarly, notice was issued to the building housing Patanjali store on April 2, 2018.
As per notice, the owners/developers were supposed to demolish the unauthorized constructions within five weeks. If they failed, NMC was supposed to raze the structures after five weeks.
Instead of taking action, the zone office sent letters to the enforcement department on May 29 asking it to demolish the constructions. The enforcement department is sitting on the letters .
Naidu told TOI that even power and water connections of the buildings have not been snapped despite directions from fire and emergency services department.
“All are protecting unauthorized constructions. Even the notices were issued only after my complaints and continuous follow-ups. It is NMC’s job to unearth unauthorized constructions and take action,” he said.
The basement+ground+three floors building housing two-wheeler showroom is sanctioned for residential purpose. Still, the basement parking and first floor are being utilized for commercial purpose. Also, the building lacks fire compliance and occupancy certificates.
Similarly, the building housing Patanjali store too lacks fire compliance and occupancy certificates.
An NMC official from Laxmi Nagar Zone told TOI, “We have sent a letter to the enforcement department to take action action. The department is busy with action on illegal religious structures. Action is being taken accordingly,” the official said.
No action
It is NMC’s responsibility to unearth unauthorized constructions and take action
Activist TH Naidu pointed out unauthorized constructions and usage in two commercial buildings after obtaining documents under RTI Act
NMC issued notices for demolition under MRTP Act
It was supposed to demolish it after lapse of notice period of five weeks
NMC not taking any action and engaged in correspondences between departments despite passing of months
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...w/67108016.cms
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