Bombay HC gives Maha tourism department until October to vacate illegal office space

The Bombay high court on Tuesday granted the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) time till October 31 to vacate the illegally occupied office space at Nariman Point.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the association of residents of Nariman Point and Churchgate area over Jawaharlal Nehru Garden, next to Mantralaya or the state headquarters.

They raised concern over the plot of land, reserved for recreational ground, that had been encroached upon by the BJP and public sector undertakings of the state such as the MTDC and Employment Exchange.

The BJP had told the high court last year that it would raze the illegal portions of its office building.

The BJP has razed the illegal portions and the Employment Exchange has vacated the space.

On Tuesday, the MTDC told the court that it was looking at three alternative spaces suggested by the state government. It said it was in talks with several parties and that it would finalise an alternative spot and vacate the space by October-end.

As per the PIL, in the 1980s, the state government had permitted the BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) to set up temporary shelters along the periphery of the plot.

However, over the years, the political parties encroached upon the plot and constructed concrete structures. The plea claims that the structures were used as party offices and were also let out to several state undertakings.

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