The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a notice to a hotel in Wadala for having its entrance directly on a bridge. Civic sources said the hotel was issued permissions by the estate department in 1961 to have its entrance connected to the bridge, but the BMC is probing if there is any violation of rules.
Hotel Wadala Garden Inn with 17 rooms is located on Nana Fadnavis bridge. According to sources in F North ward office, the hotel has been there for decades, reportedly with permission from the BMC’s estate department. But it became a source of controversy only when the structure got renovated recently. Locals call the renovation illegal.
The notice to the refurbished hotel, which is supposed to reopen later this week, under the MMC Act, has sought documents to prove legality.
“The structure has no other entrance than the one towards the footpath of the bridge. We have it in our records. Land allotments take place through various departments. We have sent a notice and the owners have submitted documents which are being scrutinised. If we find illegalities, the structure will be demolished,” an officer from the building and factory department of F North ward said.
This issue was raised by environmental activist Jayan Shringarpure who had filed a complaint with the department on October 24. “This is a clear violation of rules. The hotel’s entrance is right on the footpath of a bridge. There is no way this is legal,” Mr. Shringarpure said.
When The Hindu tried to contact Keshav Ubale, assistant commissioner of the ward, he refused to comment.
Hotel owners Jehangir Sheikh and Ramesh Solanki said they are following due process. “After renovation, we have applied for a licence and are in the process of making legal documents,” Mr. Solanki said.