Mumbai: Parts of 7 High-Rises Near Airport Removed After HC Order

The Maharashtra government informed the Bombay High Court (HC) on Wednesday, June 18, that parts of seven buildings near Mumbai International Airport that had breached height regulations have been demolished. The state said the Mumbai Suburban Collector’s office had followed the court’s instructions.

According to the state’s response, the collector will now work with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to take further action if needed.

The matter is linked to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2019 by advocate Yeshwanth Shenoy. The PIL raised safety concerns about structures near the airport that could affect aircraft takeoff and landing. The case is being heard by a bench led by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep V. Marne.

In July 2022, the High Court had ordered the suburban collector to act against 48 structures close to the airport that violated height restrictions. These included illegal additions that entered the approach path of aircraft.

On March 26 and May 6 this year, the court directed the collector to demolish specific parts of seven buildings. These included buildings of Faiz CHSL, Allwin Apartments CHSL, Fazal House CHSL, and Farzaan Apartment CHS in Kurla. It also included Wings C and E in the Rizwi Nagar Co-operative Housing Society and Another section at the Dheeraj Heritage Premises in Santacruz (West).

A compliance affidavit filed by the Collector’s office said that the owners had removed the extra structures. These included water tanks, antennas, and iron pipes. The affidavit stated that Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) later inspected the sites and confirmed the removal.

The court also directed the BMC, as the planning authority, to issue notices under the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning (MRTP) Act for removing unlawful structures. The bench accepted it and set the next hearing four weeks later. Justice Sandeep V. Marne has recused himself from the case, so the next hearing will be before a new bench.