After 13 years Palm Beach Residency gets provisional OC on court order
NAVI MUMBAI: Thirteen years after it was constructed, the upscale Amey Cooperative Housing Society Limited's (ACHSL) Palm Beach Residency in Nerul has received a provisional occupancy certificate (OC) from the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC). The complex, which was mired in litigation due to construction violations of over 3 lakh sq ft, has had to bear a whopping ₹100 crore for the OC, with ₹66.67 crore paid to NMMC and around ₹34 crore to CIDCO for various permissions.
The project has been mired in controversy for decades. First there were allegations of illegalities in the land allotment process by CIDCO to six 'bogus' cooperative societies of APMC mathadis that had been merged, which then sold the land to the Wadhwa group. After being cleared by the Supreme Court, when the project was finally completed in 2012, FSI violations were reported, following which NMMC refused to issue an OC.
Social activist Sandeep Thakur filed a PIL in the Bombay high court in 2018 for action against those responsible for illegal occupation of the buildings. The society too filed a writ petition seeking permissions.
The HC in October 2024 permitted NMMC to take a decision with regard to regularisation of the building. NMMC passed an order on December 31, 2024, agreeing to grant an OC, subject to payment of penalty, additional premium and other conditions. As an interim measure, the court on March 4 permitted the deposit of the amount to NMMC, asking it to issue the OC which, it stated, would be provisional in nature and subject to further orders.
Somnath Kekan, assistant director of town planning, NMMC, said that the introduction of the new Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations, which permit additional FSI, had enabled the regularisation. Uma Ahuja, chairperson of ACHSL, said that the residents were 'keeping it low-key, as we believe that this is the time to maintain calmness and composure'.
Thakur, however, said the provisional OC was subject to the court's previous rulings, which prohibit any sale or purchase of the units. 'It is also subject to the confirmation of validity of 'consent to operate' from MPCB, which is conducting an inquiry,' he said. 'The society does not have environmental clearances, and we will take up the issues concerning permissions given by MCZMA and SEIAA in the next hearing on July 8. We will plead for the cancellation of the provisional OC.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- New Indian Express
In a first, helipad proposed at Navi Mumbai's Lord Venkateswara temple awaits TTD nod
TIRUMALA: The Lord Venkateswara temple under construction in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, is nearing completion but faces a new challenge regarding a proposed temporary helipad on its 10-acre site. The donor, Raymond Consumer Care Limited, has requested the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to consider developing a helipad on Plot No 3, Sector 12, allotted by the Maharashtra government through the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO). However, site engineers have informed Raymond that there is no provision or approval for a helipad in the commencement certificate issued by CIDCO. Raymond has urged TTD to bring the matter to the attention of its management for a decision. TTD's Chief Engineer noted in official files that a helipad could serve as an emergency service provision and a secure entry-exit point for VVIPs, significantly reducing travel time. However, TTD Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao clarified that the proposed helipad would not be part of the core temple construction but within the temple premises. 'No permission has been granted yet for setting up of helipad at Lord Venkateswara temple in Navi Mumbai, as we are evaluating all parameters, including Agama Shastras,' Shyamala Rao told TNIE.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
State seeks details on ₹1,500 Cr TDR approved by former Pune civic chief
The Maharashtra urban development department (UDD) has sought information from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) over the issuance of transfer of development rights (TDR) worth nearly ₹1,500 crore, sanctioned by former municipal commissioner Rajendra Bhosale just before his retirement on May 31. A senior official said the UDD department has asked PMC to submit records and explanations about the approvals, which have sparked widespread criticism from citizens, activists, and political leaders. According to records published by PMC, Bhosale approved TDR within days before stepping down from office, raising eyebrows over the timing and the beneficiaries. Seven private builders had reportedly submitted proposals to the civic body seeking additional floor space index (FSI) by using the TDRs in question. 'This appears to be an attempt to benefit a few developers in a hurry. We had already raised concerns about the sudden spurt in TDR issuance, and now they are lining up for FSI clearances,' said BJP leader Ujwal Keskar. He said the UDD secretary had personally contacted the municipal commissioner's office for a detailed explanation. The TDR mechanism is intended to compensate landowners whose properties are reserved for public amenities by allowing them development rights that can be sold or used elsewhere. However, critics argue that the process under Bhosale lacked transparency and could lead to undue benefit to certain builders. Civic activists have questioned whether due diligence was followed in approving the TDRs, and why such a large quantum was cleared so close to the end of the commissioner's tenure. Allegations include lack of proper scrutiny, selective approvals, and attempts to push through the proposals without public consultation. 'Former municipal commissioner Rajendra Bhosale single-handedly opened a ₹1,500 crore TDR market under his authority. He sidelined the very existence of the 'City Improvement Committee',' said Vijay Kumbhar, RTI activist. Bhosale was unavailable for comments. The state government's intervention is likely to result in a formal review. According to PMC sources, documentation related to TDR approvals is being compiled for submission to UDD. The controversy comes at a time when Pune is already facing scrutiny over the misuse of development tools like TDR and premium FSI, which many claim have led to unplanned growth and burdened civic infrastructure.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Lodha Developers acquires 945 transit camp apartments measuring 3.29 lakh sq ft for ₹567 crore from Arihant in Mumbai
Mumbai-based listed real estate developer Lodha Developers Limited has purchased 945 permanent transit camp (PTC) units, spanning over 3.39 lakh sq ft, from Arihant Construction Company in Mumbai's Mankhurd area for ₹567 crore, according to property registration documents accessed by CRE Matrix. The deal is linked to Lodha's ongoing project in Vikhroli, where, under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme, the developer is required to hand over a portion of built-up space to the SRA in exchange for additional construction rights for sale in the open market. Arihant Construction, which is undertaking a slum rehabilitation project in Mankhurd with over 83,000 sq m of free-sale component, is supplying these PTC units. To meet its obligations, Lodha will transfer the acquired units to the SRA. The documents show that the transaction forms part of a larger deal involving the transfer of free sale Floor Space Index (FSI) under the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034. Transit camp units are temporary housing accommodations provided to people, typically slum dwellers or tenants, who are displaced due to redevelopment projects, especially under slum rehabilitation or infrastructure development schemes. Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme is a government initiative aimed at redeveloping slum areas in Mumbai by providing free, permanent housing to eligible slum dwellers while allowing private developers to construct and sell residential/commercial units for profit on the remaining land The agreement allows Lodha to integrate the acquired Floor Space Index (FSI) into its own Vikhroli project, enabling the use of Arihant's free sale rights to develop residential and amenity spaces within the township. The transaction was registered on June 3, 2025, with a stamp duty of ₹34.02 crore and registration fees of ₹30,000 paid. Also Read: Maharashtra Tribunal backs homebuyers, orders Lodha Group to register portion of New Cuffe Parade Project with MahaRERA According to the documents, the arrangement falls under Regulation 33(11) of the DCPR 2034, which permits the clubbing of FSI between schemes for integrated development. This provision allows developers to transfer and utilise unused FSI from one project to another, a mechanism commonly used in redevelopment and slum rehabilitation projects across Mumbai. An email query has been sent to Lodha Developers Limited. If a response is received, the story will be updated. Arihant Construction Company could not be reached for comment. The company announced in a regulatory filing that it would rebrand from Macrotech Developers Limited to Lodha Developers Limited, effective June 16. Also Read: Macrotech Developers rebrands company's name to Lodha Developers Limited The company said that Abhishek Lodha-led firm Macrotech Developers Ltd received approval from the Registrar of Companies to change the name almost two months after settling the trademark dispute with the younger brother, who owns House of Abhinandan Lodha. They had settled the dispute on April 14. Also Read: Lodha Group eyes growth in Bengaluru with five new projects in FY2026 According to the agreement reached between the two brothers, listed entity Macrotech Developers Ltd is the owner of and has the exclusive right to use the brand names 'Lodha' and 'Lodha Group'. Abhinandan Lodha is the owner of and has the exclusive right to use the brand name 'House of Abhinandan Lodha'. Lodha Group and 'House of Abhinandan Lodha' have no connection with each other, and both entities decided to communicate this widely, they said in a statement.
