RTI reveals BMC permission to divert a nullah
2 May, 2012Documents obtained through an application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act reveal that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has granted permissions to a developer to lay a slab over a portion of the Irla nullah in Juhu-Vile Parle. The documents indicate that the permission has been granted to divert the nullah from its original path while leaving no open access space on the other side work against the recommendations of Chitale committee for leaving a minimum width of 6 metres open space on either side of a nullah. Further, the work of developing, de-silting and maintaining the nullah for proper drainage and flood control has been left to the developer which may adversely affect the flood situation during rains. The activists and residents of Juhu are afraid that this may jeopardize the flood control efforts and may lead to flood in the coming months.
The members of the Gulmohar Residents' Association and Save Open Spaces (SOS) have alleged that this permission has been granted against the rules to permit a private developer to construct a proposed slum rehabilitation (SRA) building along the nullah.