BMC pulls up Uddhav MLA over his luxury hotel on reserved plot

MUMBAI: The BMC has sought an explanation from Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Ravindra Waikar for constructing a luxury hotel on his plot of land in Jogeshwari in alleged violation of his agreement with the civic body on the land use. Waikar, however, described the BMC action as a fallout of the Sena slugfest.
The BMC had given him nod to build the hotel during the MVA rule, but the fresh notice alleges that the hotel is coming up on land reserved for a public garden. Waikar had bought a 2-acre plot in 2004 from Mahal Pictures Pvt Ltd (Kamal Amrohi Studios), and there was a pact between the two sides and BMC on the division of the land.
Have BMC approval for hotel as per new policy, says Waikar
The BMC has questioned Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Ravindra Waikar over a luxury hotel he is building on a plot in Jogeshwari. As per the then DP-1991 policy, the BMC allowed construction on 33% of the plot utilising 1.5 FSI, keeping aside the remaining 67% as open space for public use. If the FSI is 1.5 and, for instance, the land measures 1,000 sq ft, then one can construct up to 1,500 sq ft of covered structure. Under this policy, Waikar built his Supremo Club on the permitted 33% of the land. Since the land kept aside had not been taken over by the BMC for public use, Waikar decided to raze the club and redevelop it under the new development plan, which is attractive for commercial exploitation. Under DP-34 (which was implemented in 2019), the BMC allows construction on 30 % of such private plots reserved for open space but allows the owner to use the FSI available for the entire plot, which makes it an attractive proposition.
Additionally, the BMC allows FSI of 5 if owners construct star hotels on such plots as they generate employment. A war of words broke out over the issue between BJP leader Kirit Somaiya and Waikar on Saturday. Somaiya alleged a Rs 500-crore scam where permission had been granted during the MVA regime led by Uddhav Thackeray.
Waikar described Somaiya as a “blackmailer” and contended that he had the required permissions and was continuing with the work. Waikar’s architect has responded to the civic body, stating that since it had not initiated any “acquisition” proceedings over the last two decades, his client was developing the plot used for the club under the new DP (DCPR-2034, also known as DP-2034) as it provides attractive incentive to such plot owners. Waikar said, “We constructed Supremo Club according to the old policy following all the rules. We razed the club to take advantage of DP-34. Like other private land owners, I too wanted to take advantage of the new policy. What is wrong in that? The BMC has already given me permission for the hotel according to the new policy. Even earlier, it had informed Somaiya that all the rules are being followed, but he keeps coming to harass us. He is a blackmailer and we will take required legal action against him.”