CIDCO faces legal notice over failure to remove illegal temples on landslide-prone Belapur hill

Navi Mumbai: A legal notice was sent to CIDCO by an environmental group over its alleged failure to comply with judicial orders to remove 30 illegal temples located on the landslide-prone slopes of Belapur hill. CIDCO has been asked to comply and remove the structures or face trial for contempt of court.

Natconet Foundation, the environmental group, has reportedly sent a legal notice to CIDCO as well as the state government. The notice demands removal of 30 illegal temples identified by CIDCO following a survey conducted in 2015.

“Natconnect has already emphasized that it is not against any religious structures, but they should be built at safe places and with proper permissions. CIDCO had in fact said in its affidavit that it had 16 and have been allotted three plots in the hilly area,” said BN Kumar, director of the foundation.

Foundation lawyer Ronita Bhattacharya has given a deadline of 15 days to the authorities to comply with the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) order given in August.

“These temples are built dangerously on the slopes of the landslide-prone Belapur hill. There is a 2009 Supreme Court order requiring illegal religious structures in public places to be demolished and CIDCO also said in its affidavit in the MSHRC that it has Notice has been given that such structures cannot be regularised,” Kumar said.

This week a borewell was dug near an illegal temple on Belapur hill. file photo

Based on a news article, the Commission is said to have taken suo motu cognizance of the threat posed by encroachment and possible landslides on the Belapur Hills, which may affect residents of buildings and housing societies built at the foothills of the Belapur Hills.

The legal notice states that despite assurances given before the MSHRC, no concrete action has been taken to remove the illegal construction, leaving residents vulnerable to environmental risks including landslides.

“Furthermore, it is clear that these unauthorized constructions are actually being repaired and renovated rather than being demolished,” the notice said. Take immediate and appropriate steps to resolve these issues.

The MSHRC, comprising Justice KK Tatted and member MA Sayeed, heard the state urban development department, CIDCO, NMMC besides Natconnect and directed the government to take action against the structures.

“Please note that if no action is taken within the stipulated time, my client reserves the right to initiate legal proceedings against the concerned authorities for contempt of court and dereliction of duty, including in the appropriate judicial forum. This includes, but is not limited to, filing a petition before the. Ensure compliance,” lawyer Bhattacharya said in the notice.