Dinesh Kamath's news item 'Encroachers on Belapur Hill act stubborn' that was published in Newsband

Encroachers on Belapur Hill act stubborn

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: Aam Aadmi Party activists and residents around Belapur Hill are continuing their efforts to prevent encroachment on the hill and for this purpose they have sought the help of the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).

Rampant earth excavations are being noticed taking place on the hill and that too with the JCB machine. Trees are being destroyed and even set on fire. The encroachers on the hill are leaving no stone unturned to make it possible for them to construct their illegal structures on the hill.

The protestors against such encroachment taking place on the Belapur Hill took resort to ‘Right To Information’ Act and questioned CIDCO’s authorities whether it was they who permitted the use of JCB machine and destroying of trees on Belapur Hill. CIDCO not only denied having given the permission but they also said the land came within the jurisdiction of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).

These encroachers have constructed temples on the hill. They have also come up with illegal structures which have electricity connections. The residents sought the help of AAP activists since the encroachers were acting too stubborn. Even complaints have been lodged with the police, NMMC and CIDCO.

After the crash of Mumbra's illegal building, there is a hope that NMMC might take stern action against the builders of illegal structures on the Hill. In fact, NMMC has threatened illegal builders that it would not only demolish their illegal structures but also cut off electricity and water connections.