Corruption has become a haven for illegal construction in Kalina

Demolished illegal structure at Jamblipada, Kalina  

"I asked bribe they arrested, I gave bribe they released" what a corruption? Corruption is worse than prostitution. The latter might endanger the morals of an individual former invariably endangers the morals of the entire country. Make a corrupt guy ashamed of his deeds then only we can eradicate corruption.
Corruption is cancer that catches up any and every form of government. The main reason for the spread of corruption is that the people in the highest seat of power are corrupt .Unless the people at the top rung of power are honest and free from corruption; there is absolutely no possibility of eradicating corruption. If there is widespread corruption in India, it is because the people at the top are really corrupt .No subordinate will have guts to be corrupt if the people at the top of the administration are honest and take stern action against the corrupt people .They can not be harsh to the corrupt people, since it is through the corrupt subordinates that the people at the top get their share of the bribes .They say that the money so collected is shared by people from the top to the bottom. If the head is corrupt, what will the limbs do?
In the past few years land encroachment and illegal construction in Kalina has become a business of prostitution. It is alleged that right from the Politicians, Corporation, ward, agents, middlemen are all in the business of prostitution and are making money with impunity and unethical practices. Kalina has today become a haven for illegal constructions with practically everyday a new illegal construction or encroachment being noticed. But all the concerned authorities have turned a deaf ear and a blind eye since all are minting money in the trade.
A few days back a massive illegal construction was going on at Jamblipada, Kalina. The construction at survey No 443, Hissa No 12, CTS NO 5981 admeasuring 435 sq mtrs belonged to the ancestral property of D’Mello’s. The plot was sold by the D’Mello brothers to Ainul Haque and Ansari Ahmedullah in 2007. The said property had been reserved by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for Municipal Primary School since 1958 without any progress. A few days ago BMC with its demolition squad carried a massive demolition drive and demolished the gigantic illegal construction of 1+2 structure. The demolition drive continued for almost three days.
While confirming with the ancestral property holders, speaking to ‘Santacruz Patrika’ they confirmed and added, “We have sold the property and have relinquished our right to the property. Whatever illegal activities are carried out is not our concern.” Further, while speaking to a cross section of prominent people from Kalina they added by saying, “A political party which has formed an association is in the business of mass corruption and encouragement of illegal constructions in the area. It is alleged that they take huge amounts for construction of illegal structures on the pretext of bribing the politicians, BMC, police and various other middlemen. Hence, Kalina is today flooded with illegal constructions that has put the common tax payers into hardships and the beautification and cleanliness into total disarray.
Because of mushrooming of 1+1 structures in Kalina it is observed that the number of people accommodated in the area has increased manifold with has put a heavy burden on the infrastructure. The contractors constructing these illegal structures use the existing gutters for drainage and sewerage, illegal water and electrical connections, illegal parking’s etc. This has resulted in shortage of water, encroached footpaths and blocked pavements, roads jammed with illegal parking’s, gutters flooded, drainage and sewerage choked, stagnation of water leading to mass scale epidemics and diseases. In fact last week it was reported that a young girl residing behind TWO Star Hotel died of dengue. Such is the severity of crisis in Kalina.
Regarding the demolition, while speaking to Santacruz Patrika Nasir Mohammed looked heart-broken and in a disgusted note commented, “I had taken up the project and before commencing the work I had to bribe about Rs 20 lakhs to BMC authorities, politicians, agents, middlemen and all of them assured me that there would be no problem and I can go ahead with the construction as the mandatory greasing of officials has been taken care of. But, today these very people after taking huge bribes have carried out the demolition.” He further added, “Besides the bribe of Rs 20 lakhs, I have also spent about 20 lakhs into the construction which has put me into a financial loss of around 40 lakhs.” It is astonishing to note that BMC officials because of mass scale corruption encourage illegal construction activities and later they are the ones who demolish. For filling their pockets why do these officials cheat the innocent and poor people and also put the public into a lot of inconvenience.
When Nasir was questioned as to how he has undertaken illegal construction he replied, “I have purchased the plot from the owners and I have the relevant documents to prove the legality.” But, when asked to produce the documents he confirmed that he will contact later and furnish the documents but did not contact and preferred to remain silent.
Similarly, while speaking to the local corporator Alice Therattil on the mass scale illegal constructions in her ward and why were they silent on this gigantic illegal construction, her husband Johnson Therattil replied, “As far as possible we make all efforts to stop illegal construction but action from concerned authorities is too slow and lethargic. Further we have already acted tough and as a result taken too many enemies in the ward for which we have also received threats.”
Further, while Santacruz Patrika team had been at the site during the demolition work, one of BMC labourer Sanjay Gaikar of WRE demolition squad, Andheri fell flat on the ground from the top. He was immediately rushed to the nearby Wellcare Hospital, Kalina and he received several injuries on his skull and a fracture. Later, it was learnt that he has been shifted to Sion Hospital.
It is also alleged that the plot has been an agriculture land. Santacruz Patrika tried frantically to contact the owners who had purchased the plot from the D'Mello's. But they were not reachable and accessible. However, now there are many questions that require an answer – Why was the BMC silent for almost three months when the illegal construction of the gigantic structure was going on? Why was the illegal structure protected and not demolished earlier? Why action was not initiated against the corrupt BMC officials who have been encouraging illegal construction activities? Why workers of political parties and NGOs besides several agents have not been arrested? Why these illegal contractors are not booked under MRTP?
Lastly, the innocent tax payers require an answer – With the BMC encouraging illegal activities and later employing labourers for carrying out the demolition, why should the tax payers be burdened? Also, since the police who have to leave their routine jobs are mostly employed for supervision of demolition drives. So, why has the tax payer to suffer?
It is high time a thorough investigation and enquiry be conducted on the corrupt officials, construction mafia, political workers etc and accordingly booked for criminal activities or asked to compensate? If remedial measures are not adopted then these sorts of activities will go from bad to worse.