Illegal structures galore in Kapil’s neighbourhood

A day after much brouhaha over comedian Kapil Sharma’s bribery tweet and row over his office building in Versova, residents of the locality have levelled similar corruption charges against Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Residents of Jankidevi Public School road in S.V. Patelnagar, the lane where Mr Sharma’s office structure lies, have alleged that BMC officials take bribes from all building owners who seek permission to regularise their illegal constructions. They also claimed that most of the owners in the area have illegally built at least a couple of floors against the original plan of their building. They said that the civic body officials turn a blind eye to these illegal structures as they receive hefty bribe.

Mihir Verma, who frequents the area for business, said, “Plots in this area were given at 100 sq ft initially. Construction of maximum of two floors is allowed as per my knowledge. But all bungalows have a built up area of upto 2,000 square feet, with illegal vertical and horizontal extensions.”

Apart from Mr Sharma’s apartment, BMC took action against only one other apartment in that area in July this year. The building is presently shut.

Dinesh Halde, who works at White Feather Films, an acting academy near Mr Sharma’s building, said, “I have been working here for three years and never saw BMC demolish any illegal structure. It took action against only two houses in July this year, including Kapil Sharma’s building.”

Residents claim that as the lane houses mostly studios such as acting, audition, hair and makeup, they need additional space. Almost all the houses on the street are covered with blue tarpaulin sheets, as they have all been under construction at some point or another.

Vikas Ahir, who works at an audition studio, said, “I agree that several buildings have illegal extensions. However, we have not done any such thing. We have rented our space, which leaves us with very little scope to alter the structure.

“Similarly, most of the rented apartments in this area cannot make any changes in their buildings. But the illegal task doesn’t stop at extending the construction or adding floors. Many studios go to the extent of encroaching the roads and build parking lots for their visitors.”