Siddhant Mohite, Mumbai Uncensored, 8th July, 2023:
MUMBAI: Food Villa, a well-known restaurant located in Bungalow no. 155 in SVP Nagar MHADA, has found itself at the center of a burgeoning controversy. The restaurant is under scrutiny for the erection of an unauthorised ‘shed’, converted into a fully covered floor on top of the bungalow, a blatant violation of building codes in the region.
The Food Villa, revered for its culinary offerings, has been skirting regulations in its quest for expansion, having built this extra floor without obtaining the required permissions from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the primary governing civic body of Mumbai.
Critics are now questioning the oversight of BMC authorities, alleging negligence and laxity in enforcing the city’s stringent building rules. Despite the structure’s clear visibility and blatant disregard for regulations, the BMC has yet to intervene.
Local residents have expressed their concerns over the flouting of building norms. “When you live in a city, there are rules and regulations we need to adhere to for the benefit of all residents,” said a resident of SVP Nagar MHADA. “We expect the authorities to enforce these rules, irrespective of who is involved.”
As it stands, the structure is not only an infraction of building norms but also raises questions about safety standards. Encroachments such as these often fail to meet the necessary safety protocols, creating potential hazards for employees and patrons alike.
The unauthorised construction raises several key questions. How could such an overt violation of building rules go unnoticed? How many other establishments in the city are operating similarly, under the radar? And most importantly, why has there been no action from the BMC?
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for stringent enforcement of rules and regulations, particularly in a densely populated city like Mumbai. It brings to light the urgent necessity for vigilant oversight to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the city’s residents.
The BMC authorities’ inaction is a glaring indication of the procedural lapses and bureaucratic lethargy that often hinder the enforcement of city planning rules and regulations.
The Mumbai Uncensored News team has reached out to Somesh Shinde, Assistant Engineer, (Building Factory Department, K West Ward) for comments. However, they have remained unavailable for a statement at the time of writing.
Going forward, it will be interesting to see if this blatant violation will act as a wake-up call for the BMC, and whether they will indeed enforce the existing rules and norms. One thing is clear: Mumbai’s residents expect, and indeed deserve, better.
