Taking a serious note of the delay in clearing redevelopment projects, the Bombay High Court has directed Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) and the state government to forthwith form committees to clear such proposals. Hearing a petition filed by a developer, a bench of the High Court, on June 14, said such committees should be formed to clear proposals, where existing old properties are to be redeveloped on small parcels of land in CRZ II area. The bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Nitin Jamdar further directed that such committees should meet at least once a week and their recommendations may be placed before MCZMA at its immediate next meeting. The judges directed that the committees should consider such applications expeditiously and preferably within two months from the date of receipt thereof. Deferring the matter to July 2, the bench further directed the Courts in Mumbai to give priority to cases involving redevelopment of existing old buildings. B H Mehta, Counsel for the state government, urged that a copy of this order be sent to MCZMA Chairman and prayed for time to seek instructions. Thereupon, the judges directed that a copy of the order be sent to Chief Secretary to the state government and to the Municipal Commissioner, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The bench was hearing a petition filed by Rajendra Godshalwar, who had applied to MCZMA seeking permission to redevelop an old dilapidated building Ramakrishna Niketan at Mahim in Shivaji Park, Central Mumbai. The building was constructed prior to 1940 and is located within 500 metres from the High Tide line. (More) PTI SVS NP.
