RTI Reveals Unauthorised Alterations at BMC Headquarters

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which is known for regulating and streaming construction guidelines across the city, is accused of violating their own rules.

Anil Galgali RTI activist has brought to light that several renovation projects in the BMC offices were completed without the necessary amended plan approval. The only documents provided by the contractor were sketches, not updated blueprints.

The RTI inquiry revealed that the BMC has been public about renovations at its headquarters since 2014. However, it admitted that updated blueprints for these renovations are missing. Only drawings from a private project management consultant were provided.

According to the rules, BMC should have first obtained approval from its panel architect before initiating such work. But the work was carried out based on blueprints and guidelines provided by a private architect.

For example, the revised plan clearance was purportedly not acquired from the Building Proposal Special Cell in the case of improvement work carried out by Skyway Infraproject Private Limited on the initial levels of the enlarged building. It is also alleged that Shandar Interiors Private Limited did not have consent from the building proposal special cell for the upgrade work that was done on the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth levels.

In a report by HT, Galgali urged the BMC administration to hold the responsible officials and contractors accountable. He also insists that they obtain permission for the plans from the building proposal department's special cell.

Various parts of the BMC headquarters, including the ground-floor CA office, the cash department, the historical hall, the political party offices, and the conservation hall, underwent renovations and internal changes without the approval of a new design. A reading room, the chairman's office, and a museum are located on the second floor.

The Deputy Mayor's Office, the Legal Office, and the Additional Commissioner's Office are located on the first level. The offices of the Director, Deputy Commissioner, and CA are located on the third level. The offices of the Inquiry Department, MCA, CA Finance, and IT are located on the fourth floor, and the Development Planning office is located on the fifth floor.