Surat: Nearly two weeks after more than 100 homes in Nasir Nagar were mysteriously demolished in broad daylight, the question of who carried out the demolition continues to baffle authorities. As a six-member inquiry committee struggles to find answers, another issue has emerged: how is a major construction project at the same site continuing without mandatory approvals from the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC)?
Construction Without Permissions
Officials have confirmed that the ongoing construction adjacent to the demolition site does not have development permission from the civic body. Despite lacking the required approvals, the project has continued for months, raising questions about regulatory oversight and enforcement by the SMC.
Inquiry Committee Struggles
The development adds a new layer to the Nasir Nagar controversy. The six-member inquiry committee claims it is still trying to determine who demolished over 100 homes during a three-day operation at the end of May, which was carried out in the presence of police and SMC officials.
According to officials in the SMC's town development department, the landowners have only applied for plot validation, the first step in the approval process, and even that application has not been cleared. Only after plot validation is approved can a developer seek development permission for construction.
Dharmesh Mistry, deputy municipal commissioner and in charge of the central town development department, told TOI: "Plot validation has been applied for and is yet to be approved. The SMC has not received any application seeking development permission for construction at the site."
Officials said the town development department had alerted the SMC's central zone about construction activity continuing without approvals. Following the alert, the zone office issued a notice to those undertaking the project. "We informed Central Zone officials that construction work was being carried out without the required permissions. A notice was subsequently issued," an official said.
Timeline of Events
- The project has been under development for several months.
- On May 30, the same day demolition activity was underway in Nasir Nagar, the SMC issued a notice directing those responsible for the project to fill the dug-up basement before the onset of the monsoon.
- However, construction activity allegedly continued even after the demolition sparked widespread controversy and demands for accountability.
Political Debate
The construction project has now become part of the political debate surrounding the demolition. Gujarat Assembly Leader of Opposition Tushar Chaudhary questioned whether the developer possessed the necessary approvals to undertake the work. "Does the developer have approvals from the SMC? If the required permissions are not in place and construction is continuing, then the developed structure should also face action," Chaudhary said.
Meanwhile, civic officials are collecting records related to the ownership of the land, which is claimed by an elderly woman. The ownership details are expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing inquiry into the demolition.
Inquiry Committee's Progress
The inquiry committee, headed by deputy municipal commissioner Meena Gajjar, is yet to come up with any major findings.
