Mumbai:
The Bombay High Court today ordered an interim stay on further sale of flats and induction of occupants in an 18-storey building in Central Mumbai after the Indian Navy opposed the high rise due to its close proximity to a naval base.
The Navy had approached the High Court in October 2010 seeking demolition of the 'Harsiddhi' building in Worli as it had not obtained the requisite 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) from western naval authorities before construction.
"The building is just 57 meters from the naval base INS Trata, a portion of which has sensitive missiles and launchers kept. According to rules laid down by the state government, a NOC has to be procured from the Navy for any construction within 300 meters of the base," said Advocate Dinesh Shah, appearing for Navy.
A division bench of Justices D K Deshmukh and N D Deshpande while granting an interim stay on further sale of flats in the building directed the builder to submit a list of all the present occupants of the high rise.
Apart from Harsiddhi, a seven-storey building under the Slum Rehabilitation Act (SRA) Scheme has also been constructed in the vicinity.
"In September 2008, the Urban Development Department had issued letter to SRA directing them to issue stop work notice. Even after SRA issued the notice a month later, construction did not stop," the petition states.
Navy has further alleged in its petition that the builders Rajshree Constructions and the developers Prithvi Corporation are in connivance with the SRA and in conjunction with some powerful persons who are able to exert undue influence on SRA authorities.
"The naval base INS Trata houses missiles and launchers. Sensitive activities pertaining to security and defence of the country is carried out there," the petition states.
It further states that the high rise has an unrestricted view of the naval base and its activities which is causing hindrance.
The Indian Navy had procured the land from the Army in 1964. The next hearing is scheduled after two weeks.