Curation Team
VASAI: Activists in Vasai Virar are calling for a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to investigate the continuous illegal construction activities in the region, following an RTI disclosure revealing 4,95,285 illegal units being charged property tax/house tax (gharpatti).
These unauthorised structures are putting excessive pressure on the city’s infrastructure, affecting water, electricity, and transport services for legitimate tax-paying residents. The senior officials of Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) have been criticised for their alleged negligent approach towards land mafia encroachment and non-compliance with court orders.
Terence Hendriques, who filed a PIL regarding illegal construction in VVCMC jurisdiction, questions why cases under MRTP (Maharashtra Regional & Town Planning Act, 1966) aren’t filed against developers when they submit self-attested affidavits acknowledging illegal construction whilst applying for gharpatti.
He notes that despite the presence of approximately 5 lakh illegal units, the former municipal commissioner in March 2021 reported only 2,817 illegal structures to the court. Hendriques emphasises the need for the Maharashtra chief minister to establish an SIT to address this issue.
Deepak Rao, who filed a PIL with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to protect a water body in Chinchoti (Vasai Taluka), highlights what he called the casual attitude of VVCMC officials towards court cases and RTI applications. He mentions that AMC Rajendra Kadam was fined Rs 25,000 for delayed RTI responses. Despite ongoing court proceedings, illegal construction continues on a reclaimed water body allegedly controlled by Virendra Singh, a person with multiple FIRs against him.
The complainants are compelled to seek legal intervention due to VVCMC’s inaction against illegal construction and their reluctance to file MRTP cases against the land mafia. For instance, despite two MRTP notices, no FIR has been filed against Irshad Khan, who allegedly constructed illegal commercial establishments spanning 2-3 lakh square feet in Pelhar, Nalasopara. Additionally, approximately 30-35 acres of land in Wakanpada, Pelhar, Nalasopara East has been illegally developed after destroying hillocks, with forest land within VVCMC jurisdiction also being encroached upon.
