Mumbai builders turn blind eye to roads

If you’re a developer of a commercial or a housing project in the city, chances are the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has gone easy on you. Case in point: the civic body handed out occupation certificates (OCs) to developers of several commercial complexes and big corporate offices, including those belonging to the film industry, despite the poor condition of the roads from Infinity Mall approaching SV Road in Andheri (W).  Ditto the case in adjoining areas like Millat Nagar.

Developers are required to repair roads falling within their layout, but those in this area of Andheri (W) appear to have had a free run.
Sources confirmed that the BMC had issued OCs to all the projects in the area, and now the developers are shying away from the task of road repair.

Residents complained that the civic body looked away when the issue of construction of roads arose. “The roads in Millat Nagar areas were closed for almost two years to carry out drainage work. Though the work was completed a year ago, the road is yet to be repaired. A small stretch of the Millat Nagar Road has been concretised and the remaining part has been left out,” alleged Rajan Mehrotra, a resident of Silver Sand. “The condition is same in the adjoining areas. Sometimes, I wonder whether I am living the life of an animal,” said Mehrotra.

He claimed that several cables have been lying on the footpaths and no one has a clue if they belong to a particular government department.

Washing his hands of the issue, Ramesh Pawar, assistant commissioner of Andheri (W) ward, said, “It is the developer’s responsibility to repair the roads as it comes in their layout.” But he quickly assured, “If they have not constructed the proper roads, we will hold back their future projects as a punishment. Even the building proposal department will look into the matter and will take necessary action against them.”