‘2 malls coming up in metro buffer zone’ Bachchans Loaned 11.5cr To Firm, May Be Unaware Of Breach: Y P Singh

Mumbai: Civic authorities are turning a blind eye to the construction of two malls in a buffer zone meant to protect residents from metro railway noise pollution at Andheri (West), activist-lawyer Y P Singh has alleged. 

    Addressing a press conference at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh on Tuesday, Singh further said that superstar Amitabh Bachchan and his wife, actor and Rajya Sabha member Jaya Bachchan, who have together loaned Rs 11 crore to one of the realty firms, too, may not be aware about the illegality being committed. 
    "Both have loaned money to the tune of Rs 7 crore to Ecstasy Realty Pvt Ltd that is constructing one of the malls. Amitabh Bachchan has also given a loan of Rs 4.5 crore to Shobit Rajan, the proprietor of Ecstasy Realty," said Singh. 
    The information is based on the declaration made by Jaya Bachchan while filing her nomination for the Rajya Sabha. 
    A major portion of the 13.8-hectare plot abutting J P Road at Andheri (West) is being used for a metro yard. Around 25% of the plot has been given to the owners (Rajan and HDIL) as compensation along with 75% of the total floor space index of the entire plot to be used on the 25% area, said Rajan. 
    While approving the metro yard and the plot's commercial exploitation, the BMC had specifically mentioned that a 30-metre-wide buffer zone around the periphery of the entire plot must be maintained to avoid noise pollution. "Only tree plantation shall be allowed in this buffer zone," read the Development Plan department remarks before approval. 
    Singh said while the HDIL mall had been constructed up to the first floor, in case of the Ecstasy mall, the ground had been excavated up to 50 feet for the basement construction. "The approved BMC plans show the front portion of both the malls are in the buffer zone,'' said the lawyer-activist. Four months ago, Singh had sent a legal notice to the BMC demanding to know why it had not stopped construction in the buffer zone. "But there has been no response. We, therefore, want to appeal to the Bachchans to stop the illegality as they have loaned money to the firm and to the proprietor and to ensure that trees are planted as required," said Singh. 
    Rajan, though, denied his firm had carried out any construction in the buffer zone. "Currently, we are constructing a residential building which is 150 metres from the road. We intend to construct a mall but, so far, no decision has been taken.'' Sunny Dewan of HDIL said, "The construction at the metro yard is being carried out as per the BMC-approved plan and the consent terms signed before the high court. There is no illegality whatsoever.'' Bachchan was not available for comment.

THE 'VIOLATION' | The BMC has insisted on a 30-metre-wide buffer zone around the periphery of the entire metro yard plot to avoid noise pollution. Only tree plantation has been allowed in the buffer zone. The two malls, though, are being extended in the buffer zone and the BMC has not objected to the violation, alleges activist-lawyer Y P Singh