The Bombay High Court on Monday allowed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to utilise the available plot of 17,756 square metres in WorliThe Bombay High Court on Monday allowed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to utilise the available plot of 17,756 square metres in Worli, reserved for a sewage treatment plant (STP) and other purposes.The court said it would later examine how the reservation for a larger area of over 27,000 square metres was reduced to nearly 17,000 square metres to build a transit camp for a slum rehabilitation project.Earlier this month, the High Court had halted the construction of the transit buildings, noting that the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) had permitted it despite BMC objections, terming it as “systematic design” to favour developer.https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/systematic-design-developer-bombay-hc-stops-worli-transit-camp-10527271/A bench of Justices Girish S Kulkarni and Aarti A Sathe on February 23 passed an order on a plea by Worli Urban Development Project LLP (formerly Lokhandwala DB Realty LLP), the developer undertaking a slum rehabilitation project. that challenged a stop-work notice issued under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act.On February 9, the court had observed that the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) had allowed the construction of transit buildings despite BMC letters flagging the land as reserved for an STP.On Monday, Senior Advocate Aspi Chinoy, for the petitioner, submitted that the construction of the transit camp, undertaken on 17,756.40 square metres land, would be removed within 90 days as per the February 9 court order.He added that “no construction of any nature shall be undertaken on such area demarcated for the purpose of sewerage pumping station or sewerage treatment plant expansion or for solid waste management, and will be handed over to the BMC”.Story continues below this ad“We intend to examine the issue as to how the extent of the reservation of a larger area of 27,964.04 square metres could be reduced to an area of 17,756.40 square metres at the instance of the plans/proposal submitted by the developer, on the State Government passing July 12, 2024 order and its authority/jurisdiction thereof. Further, we would also examine whether it was so permissible to do so under Regulation 17(3)(D)(2) of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034,” the bench noted.The court added, “We may observe that merely because the said land belonging to the municipal corporation was encroached by slum dwellers, whether such large area of land would be required to be deleted from the reservation, and in the manner as understood by the State Government and the SRA that too on the proposal as submitted by the developer, would be required to be addressed”.The bench termed it a “significant issue surrounding the slum redevelopment in question, considering such imminent public interest”.It noted that the BMC had taken “serious cognisance” of SRA’s inaction to remove illegal transit building on the reserved land, prompting the corporation to initiate demolition.Story continues below this adThe court appointed Senior Advocate Zal Andhyarujina as amicus curiae to assist on the legal issues during the next hearing on March 9.Omkar Gokhale is a journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Mumbai. His work demonstrates exceptionally strong Expertise and Authority in legal and judicial reporting, making him a highly Trustworthy source for developments concerning the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court in relation to Maharashtra and its key institutions. Expertise & Authority Affiliation: Reports for The Indian Express, a national newspaper known for its rigorous journalistic standards, lending significant Trustworthiness to his legal coverage. Core Authority & Specialization: Omkar Gokhale's work is almost exclusively dedicated to the complex field of legal affairs and jurisprudence, specializing in: Bombay High Court Coverage: He provides detailed, real-time reports on the orders, observations, and decisions of the Bombay High Court's principal and regional benches. Key subjects include: Fundamental Rights & Environment: Cases on air pollution, the right to life of residents affected by dumping sites, and judicial intervention on critical infrastructure (e.g., Ghodbunder Road potholes). Civil & Criminal Law: Reporting on significant bail orders (e.g., Elgaar Parishad case), compensation for rail-related deaths, and disputes involving high-profile individuals (e.g., Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty). Constitutional and Supreme Court Matters: Reports and analysis on key legal principles and Supreme Court warnings concerning Maharashtra, such as those related to local body elections, reservations, and the creamy layer verdict. Governance and Institution Oversight: Covers court rulings impacting public bodies like the BMC (regularisation of illegal structures) and the State Election Commission (postponement of polls), showcasing a focus on judicial accountability. Legal Interpretation: Reports on public speeches and observations by prominent judicial figures (e.g., former Chief Justice B. R. Gavai) on topics like free speech, gender equality, and institutional challenges. Omkar Gokhale's consistent, focused reporting on the judiciary establishes him as a definitive and authoritative voice for legal developments originating from Mumbai and impacting the entire state of Maharashtra. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd