Defence ministry asks Prithviraj Chavan to probe Harsiddhi project

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has directed the urban development department to ascertain the violations while sanctioning of the 31-storey Harsiddhi Heights, a high-rise situated on Worli Seaface, after Union defence minister AK Anthony decided to take the issue to a logical end.

Highly placed sources in the government told DNA, “Anthony has taken up the matter with prime minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi.”

The matter has also come up before the Bombay high court and the government has been asked to provide details about the occupants.

The main objection to the building has come from the Indian Navy, which has cited security reasons. In its letter to the state government and the PMO, the navy stated, “The government has given clearance to the high-rise close to the INS Trata naval base near the seaface despite the navy denying clearance to the project.”

Sources in the urban ministry revealed, “Among the prominent people who have flat in the buildings (either in their name, or those of relatives) include former chief secretary Prem Kumar, retired additional chief secretary (finance) OP Gehrotra, secretary (energy) Subrath Ratho, former joint commissioner of police YP Singh etc.”

Chavan is well-versed with the controversial project as he was in the PMO when the navy and Shiv Sena had written letters pointing to the security violations in the residential project.

Shiv Sena MP Bharat Kumar Raut said, “I am glad that Anthony has taken up the issue. I have received a letter from him assuring that he will look into the security threat and violation of rules as claimed by the navy. I had written letter to the prime minister who also acknowledged receipt.”

According to Raut, “What is shocking is that even after the PM directed the state government in May last year to probe the matter, nothing was done. To the contrary, the administration was helping the project.”