State’s public works department’s (PWD) nine officials who allegedly converted the Naigaon BDD chawl’s common toilet-bathroom area into the residential made themselves fraudulent owners of these space. It was done to gain eligibility for the redevelopment of Naigaon BDD chawl and get 500 sq ft of carpet area.
The names of PWD officials that have come up are SB Ahire, CD Nalawade,YM Pinjari, RD Dhanvijay, MY Ghanewhar, MD Ghode, AA Desai, AS Mane, SR Sonawane. These officials given charge of the maintenance work of BDD, Naigaon chawl connived with their seniors, and shown themselves as the residents of these toilet and bathroom space. These officials also made fraudulent rent receipts so that they can claim 500 sq ft houses in the redevelopment area.
The residents committee of BDD Chawl, Naigaon complained to the MHADA, PWD official and local Congress MLA Kalidas Kolamkar about the encroachment. They demanded the high level inquiry and actions against these government officials.
The residents in their letter said, “There are total 80 rooms and at every floor, there is the common toilet and bathroom. Later on, these bathrooms were closed down due to short supply of water,” said residents. They further said, “The residents of the chawl used these bathrooms as a study and gym rooms. We have been staying in this chawl from the last 60 years, but never have seen any PWD official stay in our buildings. They also wrote to MHADA that these officials have taken over as residents of the bathroom area,”reads the letter. “This is nothing but the lie. It is an encroachment. The redevelopment of BDD is taking place therefore they have fraudulently inserted their names as residents of BDD chawl,” alleged residents.
Congress MLA Kalidas Kolamkar met director of BDD, Naigaon and demanded high level inquiry and actions against these officials. When DNA called KP Jhanbandu, director of BDD, Worli, he confirmed that they have received the complaints. “We are verifying the allegations by checking the records. If the allegations are true, then we will set up another inquiry for the further course of actions,” Jhanbandu added.
While the MHADA officials said that it was the duty of the PWD to maintain the chawls.