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Mumbai: Expressing regret over removing structures obstructing the movement of flights at the airport here, the collector (Mumbai suburbs) has told the Bombay High Court that substantial compliance was made in respect of the removal of the obstacles.
“I most respectfully tender my unconditional apology for not completing the action of 100% removal against the above structures, but substantial progress is made in respect of removing obstructions,” states Rajendra Kshirsagar‘s Feb 8 affidavit filed in HC on Monday.
Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre were hearing a 2022 PIL filed by advocate Yeshwanth Shenoy on the danger to aircraft from highrises near the airport. The structures are in the approach surface of the runways. Approach surface is the space marked for safe take-off and landing.
Kshirsagar filed a compliance affidavit in respect of HC’s Aug 8 order to place on record the progress of work done regarding structures not enjoying court protection. His reply referred to his predecessor’s Sept 22 affidavit that reported developments in respect of the removal of “eight plus one more structure” identified by Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), the airport operator. Kshirsagar informed that the owners of the “above total 9 structures” , situated in Santacruz (W) and Kurla (W), were heard before calling upon them to remove them. While one housing society fully complied with the direction of removal, most of the structure owners partially complied with the direction by removing structures in the nature of permanent fixtures, including water tanks, mobile antenna, iron pipe, and staircase. “But the full compliance with the removal order in respect of the changes in the concrete structures etc is not done yet,” he added.
Kshirsagar’s affidavit said the collector’s office on Feb 7 issued fresh notices to 7 owners “to remove their structures within 15 days from the receipt of notice/s or the corrective steps would be taken as mentioned in the notice/s.” He urged for 8 weeks’ time to take action against the remaining encroachments pursuant to notices issued to the seven offending structures.
He also informed that one society in Santacruz (W) filed an appeal before the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in which the final order is awaited. Kshirsagar said his office “is in full coordination” with MIAL, Slum Rehabilitation Authority, and BMC “against the above seven structures.” On Monday, the judges posted the hearing on March 11.
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