Navi Mumbai: A Right To Information (RTI) has revealed about twin action by the state government wherein CIDCO was asked to take steps against the alleged encroachments by religious structures on the landslide-prone Belapur Hills, while giving the option to green activists of moving against the city planner for its inaction.
“This findings follows a complaint filed due to the procrastination on part of CIDCO in taking action against the illegal structures spread across 2.3 lakh square feet in glaring violation of the order by the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) over six months ago,” said the Director of Natconnect BN Kumar. The foundation had filed the RTI.
The order by UDD has come in response to NatConnect director B N Kumar’s query, via the Right To Information (RTI) Act route, on the progress in the matter post the MSHRC order to both CIDCO and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) to take action against the illegal religious structures in public places.
The State Urban Development Department (UDD) has initially informed Kumar that it reminded both CIDCO and NMMC of the Human Rights Commission’s order. But the applicant filed his first appeal with the RTI authority stating the action from both the government agencies is nil. The monsoon is not far away and the landslides could be disastrous.
The first appeal authority Subrao Shinde heard Kumar’s explanation and said in a signed order that the applicant can file a formal complaint with the government. At the same time, Shinde, joint secretary in the UDD, asked CIDCO to take action as per issues raised by Kumar and inform the applicant.
The MSHRC has earlier taken a suo motu note of the media reports arising out the #SaveBelapurHills campaign to alert the government against landslide dangers to the temples, the devotees visiting them and the people residing in several colonies along the hill.
The housing societies below the hill have already witnessed landslides damaging the retaining walls and the danger now is much larger as the hill soil has become very loose with the uprooting of tree cover for the encroachments, said Kapil Kulkarni, a local activist.
The activists have reiterated that they have nothing against any religious structures, but the trusts should be built in safer places, away from the landslide-prone hills. CIDCO itself said it allots plots to social organisations.
