HC seeks explanation from BMC on Sea Rock reconstruction plans

Lawyer and activist Sonia Sood has filed a PIL in this regard. A division bench of Justices S A Bobde and Mridula Bhatkar also sought to know whether a simultaneous use of Development Control Regulations of 1967 and 1991 was permissible while deciding such proposals.

Sood alleges BMC sanctioned the reconstruction plans using clauses in both the DCRs, which is not permissible. Two of the sub-plots shown in the plan were exclusively earmarked for car parking and could not be used for any other purpose while another sub-plot falls "within the sea", she argued in the court.

Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) and MoEF failed to act on several complaints in this regard, she alleged.

Senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas, who represented Indian Hotels Company (the owner), said MCZMA had initiated an inquiry and had sought certain details from the company.

The court then directed MCZMA to submit a report on status of the inquiry. The next hearing would be held after two weeks.