Mumbai News: SHRC Flags MCGM Inaction On Unauthorised Construction In Maulana Azad Road Setback Area, Calls For Municipal Commissioner Inquiry

Mumbai: Despite a complaint filed by a Mumbai based woman against the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) in 2023, before the the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), alleging unauthorised construction by several developers on the setback area of Maulana Azad Road in Byculla, no action has been initiated against the wrong doer’s.

The updated website of the SHRC says that it appears that Advocate for Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai is not prepared with the matter and hence yet no response was filed by the corporation.

As per the order copy, a complaint was filed by Zarina Musani, Mumbai, complainant is seeking direction against Municipal Corporation, Mumbai to complete the repairs and maintenance of Maulana Azad Road Byculla Mumbai since last two years.

The complainant in her complaint said that the Corporation has failed to take back the set back area from several high profile developers. The areas not taken back by the Corporation have all been encroached upon and the traffic conditions on road has drastically worsened with traffic jams lasting for hours.”

The SHRC in its earlier orders had maintained that it was surprising that corporation wasn under impression that in set back area some nobody carried out unauthorized construction.

“Apart from that without taking physical possession of the set back area they permitted the developer to use all benefits to that effect. This is nothing but misappropriation of power for the reason best known to them only and because of that complainant’s human rights are affected. Because he is not getting proper facility of roads, footpath etc in that area. It is a duty of developer to handover vacant possession of setback area.”

“Advocate appearing on behalf of Corporation is unable to explain how Sec. 351 of Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act 1888 is applicable to the set back area. Therefore, it is necessary to call upon the Municipal Commissioner himself to hold inquiry in the present matter in respect of handing over the setback area as well as conduct of the concerned officers, to safeguard the human rights of the complainant,” the commission had maintained.