Mumbai:
The controversial Adarsh Housing Society in Mumbai is now in the eye of another storm. The society falls within the coastal regulation zone, where construction is restricted. It seems rules were bent at every stage and environment clearances bypassed.
However, Brigadier (Retd) MM Wanchu, President, Adarsh Housing Society says, "We have got the Coastal Zone Regulation (CRZ) clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) in March 2003.
But in reality, sources say the project completely bypassed the state's Coastal Zone Management authority, which is a clearance that is mandatory for projects in CRZ areas costing over Rs 5 crore.
In fact in 2009, the Maharashtra environment department issued a show cause notice to the project.
The society claims it got direct clearance from the Union Environment Ministry through the state urban development department.
Yet the letter from the Union Environment Ministry which the building is furnishing, does not give the project a green signal. It instead says it redirects the project to the state environment department.
What also raised eyebrows is that the families of two officers from the state urban development department instrumental in pushing for CRZ clearances were also allotted flats in the building.
As more questions are raised about this crucial clearance, the Union Environment Ministry has asked for details - signs that the building will face a battle on many fronts.