In a shocking revelation it has come to light that the Architect of the now infamous Campa Cola project in Worli, which attained notoriety due to its illegal planning and construction of excess floor's is also the Architect of the important Mantralaya makeover project which got necessitated due to fire. This shocking revelation came to light after RTI Activist Anil Galgali filed an RTI with the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. After coming to light that Architect Raja Aederi is involved with the makeover project, Galgali has cautioned the administration by requesting Prithviraj Chavan to be careful and cautious.
Anil Galigali had filed an RTI with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) on 18/11/2013 seeking information about the illegal construction carried out in the Campa Cola compound and also details of action taken by the MCGM regarding the various violations. Instead of giving a written reply regarding action taken on the developer & the Architect in this case, the Building Proposal dept of the MCGM invited Galgali to personally inspect the file. While going through the file, the first thing that came to notice was that it was Architect Raja Aederi, who had submitted the permission proposal to the Executive Engineer, Building Proposals Dept. The Ward Officer (Estates) in a letter dt 21/09/1982 had replied and informed Architect Raja Aederi referring his letter dt 03/09/1982, that his plot size plan is not in concurrence to the plot area shown, which is wrong and also the plot is not subdivided.
17719.58 sq mtrs of land in the Worli TPS Scheme no - 58, Plot no 9, was allotted to M/s Pure Drinks Pvt Ltd on lease by the MCGM. Originally the land was fell under the Industrial zone. Acting on the application by M/s Pure Drinks Pvt Ltd, the Maharashtra Govt approved the land use as Residential for 13049.45 sq mtrs under the MRTP Act, Section 37(2) vide its order no - TPB/4380/2892/NaVi - 5 dt 31/12/1980. Initially the MCGM gave the permissions to start construction on the plot on the application proposals submitted by Architect Raja Aederi. It had also restricted extra constructions on the plot simultaneously. In spite of the directions the developers and the Architect continued the construction activity in violation of the permissible area allowed as per approved plans. Further the MCGM issued Stop Work notice under section 354 A dt 12/11/1984, which was also not heeded by the developers and the Architect. The work continued in spite of such notices. Initially Raja Aederi and thereafter B K Gupta, Jayant Tipnis & Hemant were appointed as Architects in the project. The developers paid Rs 6,56,800/- as penalty against the order dt 22/11/1986 of the Addl Municipal Commisssioner on 14/01/1987. But the illegality could not be regularized and the fresh plans could not be approved as the Penalty was not calculated on the basis of land rate. In violation of the approved plans, the developers and the architect constructed extra floors on its buildings. MCGM took actions under MCGM Act 353 against the Yusuf Patel, B K Gupta & Madanjit Singh. It also initiated actions under section 353 A on the illegal occupants (Residents) of the buildings. With regard to the information of action taken on the responsible Municipal Officers the reply given to Anil Galgali stated that the said records are not available.
It has also been revealed that the then Minister of State (UD), Mr Ravindra Mane, Mayor Chandrakant Handore & Nandu Satam had tried to pressurize the MCGM to sanction Water connection to the buildings in Campa Cola Compound. Also Ex Mayor R R Singh, A Pinto, Ramesh Prabhoo, Baban Kanavaje had repeatedly complained against the illegal construction and demanded actions.
In letters addressed to the Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (PWD), & Municipal Commissioner, Anil Galgali, Chairman Athak Seva Sangh has cautioned the administration to pay extra attention to the Mantralaya Makeover project as the Architect of both the projects are same. If due precautions are not taken and caution overlooked and in the process if any irregularities occur, a repeat of Campa Cola cannot be ruled out, which could be embarrassing for the govt. It seems the govt has conferred an award to the architect by appointing him on such a prestigious project. Anil Galgali further demanded from the govt that, Instead of ensuring that such Architect does not practice in Maharashtra, Why is the Govt encouraging such people? Ask question by Galgali.
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