Kolovery Cross receives notice for demolition

In accordance to a Supreme Court order, BMC has served notice for the demolition of the Kolovery Cross located near Pride of Kalina, Kalina. While speaking to Santacruz Patrika a local resident of the area who knows the history of the cross said, “The cross is more than 50-years-old and was initially located at Pride of Kalina. But, after Gold Coin Builders took the development of the area he constructed Pride of Kalina building and re-located the cross in the garden. It was only two years ago the cross was fully renovated with the support of residents of Kalina and many well wishers.” “But, now the BMC has served a notice for the demolition of the cross stating that it is obstructing the plans of a 40 feet road that has to be constructed,”emphasised this resident.
As per development plans it is learnt that a 40 feet road is planned from Banquet Plaza, CST Road to Pride of  Kalina. Hence, many argue that if the development work is planned from CST Road, Why have demolition notices not been served to the stream of illegal and encroached structures on the way leading from CST Road to the Cross? Why only a demolition notice has been served on the cross and the illegal structures left un-touched?”Further, there are many SC orders like removal of illegal hawkers, vendors. However, nothing has been done about them and then why are religious structures demolition on the BMC agenda”, echoed any angry resident. Also, a large number of residents pay visit daily to the cross to offer prayers.
It is learnt through residents that MLA Kripashankar Singh has intervened in the matter and has stopped the demolition of the cross. Further, it is also learnt that he has assured the safety of the cross and for that he is ready to go on an andolan and bhook hartal.
 Brihan Mumbai Corporation's (BMC) decision to demolish churches crosses across the city has angered the Christians. The BMC sticking demolition notices on these revered symbols, not just in this suburb, but across the entire city, has left the community fuming. The BMC quotes a 2009 Supreme Court order directing that illegal religious structures obstructing vehicular traffic be removed. Residents say not only are the crosses legal, but that the apex court order had asked states to first formulate a policy on religious structures before ordering demolitions. While the Catholic community is upset with the highhandedness and insensitivity of actually attaching the circular onto these crosses, most of which are historic and legal, the questions many are asking is: why hasn't the civic body attached these same notices onto temples and mosques that are also on the list of structures they have deemed as illegal? Members of the community say they are being targeted.
BMC rder provides for the destruction of religious shrines built after 1964. Local Catholic groups already submitted their papers in 2003 proving the dates of construction of the crosses, all previous to 1964. The municipal authorities deny seeing documents. The demolition is part of a program to improve facilities and infrastructure, which provides for the elimination of places of worship built after 1964 and considered "illegal" because in the way of road widening, road improvements, or constructed on land destined for public services.
Many of these crosses are part of the history and cultural and religious heritage. Previously, they were within the boundaries of Catholic property. When BMC was founded, many areas were reclaimed by the civic body for the construction of roads or other infrastructure, and so the crosses were saved by placing them along the streets