MUMBAI: A group of over 60 citizens, in a letter sent to the civic body on Nov 12, opposed the auction of BMC property in Malabar Hill, which currently houses the BEST receiving station. They stated that the property card of the plot shows it is vested with BMC for a public garden.
“It is true that a BEST receiving station stands on part of this plot. But this is only because Electric Receiving Stations are a permissible activity on Green Garden plots. If BMC no longer requires an electric sub-station on the said plot, they are statutorily required to restore the Public Garden,” states the letter, which was sent out on Tuesday. “This plot cannot be auctioned for real-estate development simply because a BEST Receiving Station stands there. It still remains as a Green Plot where no real-estate development is permissible. In fact, this plot is part of the existing Shantivan Garden (adjoining it), and we call upon BMC to restore this plot to the adjoining garden if it is no longer required for BEST Electric Distribution purposes,” the letter further states.
Meanwhile, the tender documents for the other two plots proposed to be leased at Worli and in the Fort area have also been published by the BMC. It is proposed to give the properties on lease for a period of 30 years, renewable for another 30 years.
The BMC delayed the uploading of tender documents regarding the proposed auction of the three plots, a move that was criticised by activists, stating that the tender notification was issued in a hurry to beat the code of conduct regulations that would set in.
The tender notices were issued on October 11, while the MCC came into force barely a few days thereafter on October 15.
