BKC HDIL Illegal Hotel Demolition: Slum Rehab Authority Begins Action at Motilal Nehru Nagar
Following a Bombay High Court order, the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) has initiated demolition of illegal hotel structures built inside HDIL’s 10-storey commercial building in Bandra-Kurla Complex.
Mumbai:
The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) has begun demolishing illegal hotel structures constructed inside HDIL’s 10-storey commercial building located at Motilal Nehru Nagar in the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) area. The action follows the Bombay High Court’s directive ordering the demolition of unauthorized constructions made without approval from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
According to officials, HDIL had developed the 10-storey commercial structure under the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme (SRA). However, the Fortune Society, which had purchased or leased commercial units from floors 1 to 8, illegally converted these premises into a full-fledged hotel, without obtaining mandatory permissions from civic authorities.
The case reached the Bombay High Court, which subsequently ruled the construction as unauthorized and ordered its demolition. Acting upon the directive, SRA has launched the demolition drive, which is expected to continue for three to four days.
Court Proceedings and Developments
The SRA had earlier issued notices to the concerned societies for illegal structural modifications in Buildings No. 2 and 11.
While Building No. 2 has been given a temporary “status quo” order by the Supreme Court, the High Court declared the Building No. 11 construction illegal and directed the SRA to proceed with demolition.
A senior SRA officer confirmed,
“The High Court’s October order instructed us to clear the illegal construction in Building No. 11. Accordingly, the demolition has now commenced.”
The Supreme Court has advised the petitioners to approach the High Court again regarding Building No. 11, effectively upholding the High Court’s earlier order.
Illegal Conversions and Commercial Use
The commercial units were converted into luxury hotel rooms, which were then rented out commercially. These conversions violated both the SRA’s rehabilitation terms and BMC’s building usage regulations.
Officials added that all demolished portions — floors 1 through 8 — would now be taken back into SRA custody. Preparations for demolition of Building No. 2 are also complete, pending the Supreme Court’s final decision.
