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Despite sharp criticism from MSHRC, CIDCO has failed to respond to Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) on the Parsik Hill slope cutting. NMMC had alerted CIDCO's office in July 2022 about the violations and the action to be taken, but there was no response from the managing director's office.
The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) has criticized CIDCO for its "total non-action" and expressed its concern over CIDCO's failure to initiate prompt legal action against the builder for having acted in blatant breach of the Leave & License Agreement. Environmentalists claim that this slope cutting is endangering the lives and properties on top of the hill.
CIDCO had entered into a Leave & License Agreement with the builder only for plantation and maintenance of part of the hill, with several riders such as the prerequisite of a soil strength test to be obtained from IIT Bombay. However, the builder made a pathway and erected advertisement hoardings, for which CIDCO served notice to the builder. The MSHRC herd the case after taking a suo motu notice of media reports filed on the basis of complaints from NatConnect Foundation and Parsik Greens.
The commission pulled up CIDCO's managing director for his blatant ignorance towards the issue at hand. NMMC had alerted CIDCO's office in July 2022 about the violations and the action to be taken, but there was no response from the managing director's office. According to news reports, CIDCO's managing director has sought more time after being asked to file his affidavit in the case by Monday, after which the MSHRC granted permission till May 4.
The residents living on top of the hill apprehended landslides as the hillslope and the bottom were being cut and dug out. Shockingly, the hill did witness a landslide during last monsoon, said Parsik Hill Residents Association president Jayant Thakur.
The NMMC recently filed a fresh affidavit stating that till date, it has not received any reply or response from CIDCO in respect of the action taken by the city planner against the excavation carried out on Parsik Hill. While speaking to the press, the assistant commissioner and ward officer of Belapur, Shashikant Tandel, said that they were powerless to take any action as the land is under CIDCO's control.
The situation in Parsik Hill is a reflection of the larger issues that plague the real estate industry in India. The excavation of the hill slope by a private builder, in violation of the Leave & License Agreement with CIDCO, has endangered the lives and properties of those living on top of the hill. The lack of action from CIDCO managing director to initiate prompt legal action against the builder has drawn sharp criticism from the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC).
The environmental degradation caused by the excavation of the hill slope is a pressing issue in India. The real estate industry in India is infamous for flouting environmental norms and regulations to maximize profits. The lack of enforcement of environmental laws has resulted in irreversible damage to the environment, including the loss of green cover, water bodies, and wildlife. Moreover, corruption is a significant problem in the Indian real estate industry. Developers often resort to bribing officials to bypass regulations and obtain clearances, resulting in the approval of projects that violate environmental norms and endanger public safety.
To address these issues, there is a need for stricter enforcement of environmental laws and regulations, as well as greater transparency and accountability in the real estate industry. The government needs to take proactive steps to ensure that developers comply with environmental norms and regulations and that buyers are not left at the mercy of unscrupulous developers.
In conclusion, the situation in Parsik Hill is a stark reminder of the larger issues that plague the real estate industry in India. Environmental degradation, corruption, and lack of accountability are pervasive problems that need to be addressed to restore public faith in the industry. There is an urgent need for the government and regulatory bodies to take proactive measures to protect the environment and the interests of buyers.
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