Portion of Seven Structures Near Mumbai Airport Removed, Collector Tells Bombay HC
Court was hearing a PIL concerning threats to aircraft safety posed by high-rise structures in the vicinity of the airport;
The Bombay High Court was told yesterday that seven buildings in Santacruz West and Kurla West, near the Mumbai airport, had removed unauthorised structures that were obstructing flight movement.
The submission was made by the Mumbai Suburban District Collector before a division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne.
The division bench was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Yashwant Soney, highlighting concerns regarding the presence of tall buildings and unauthorised structures near the Mumbai Airport, which pose a serious threat to aircraft.
In the previous hearing on March 26, the court had directed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to dispose of pending appeals from affected high-rise buildings within 60 days.
It had also asked the suburban district collector to ensure the removal of unauthorised structures.
Earlier in May, the court had cautioned the collector and the municipal corporation to act seriously in implementing the orders, while also warning of consequences in case of non-compliance.
However, during the present hearing, a compliance report was submitted on June 17 by the tehsildar Rajendra Chavan. As per the report, the structures removed included permanent fixtures such as overhead water tanks, antennae, iron pipes, and portions of concrete.
Further, it was stated that the work had been confirmed through on-site inspections carried out by Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) and verified by the DGCA.
Assuring the court, government pleader Neha Bhide said, “We have complied with the removal of all obstructions.”
The matter will now come up before the court after four weeks.