Hello Mumbai City Desk

On Sunday A massive public meeting was organized by the C.O.D.  (Central Ordinance Department)Sufferers (Malad–Kandivali) in which 60 Societies participated and more than thousands of local residents attended.The purpose behind organizing this meeting was to discuss the ongoing issues related to redevelopment and to seek clarity and assurance from the concerned authorities.

The meeting was held to address the problems faced within a 500-meter radius of the Malad and Kandivali mill land area, where obtaining an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the Defence department is mandatory. However, the Defence authorities have not been issuing the required NOCs.

As a result, the redevelopment of approximately 150 to 200 old buildings in the mill land area has been stalled. Many of these buildings are old and in need of urgent redevelopment, but the process has come to a standstill due to the NOC issue.
To resolve this matter, Senior BJP leader and current MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar was invited to the meeting so that the residents could present their problems directly before him and seek necessary support and intervention.

” We will raise this issue again. It has been raised earlier as well, and we will continue to pursue a solution through the appropriate channels. On Monday, there is a meeting in our Legislative Assembly where we will present our problem and see what action is taken further.” Said Mr Atul Bhatkhalkar while addressing the gathering.

” The local Member of Parliament here is also a Union Minister. The MLA belongs to the BJP, and even the Mayor is from the BJP. Despite this, such a sensitive and long-pending issue has not yet been resolved.” Said Mr Nikhil Desai.

Aditya Pathak :
Our group is called “C.O.D. Sufferers.” We also question why this issue has not been addressed properly, even though the corporator, MP, MLA, and even the Prime Minister are all from the BJP. Despite that, this problem, which was once resolved in 2016, has again remained unresolved.

The BMC has stated that it has received a letter from the Defence authority saying that within the 500-meter zone, no fresh development proposals should be approved.
However, what does the 2016 Government Resolution (GR) state? The 2016 GR clearly mentions that after leaving a 10-meter buffer zone from the Defence boundary wall, no NOC (No Objection Certificate) is required beyond that limit.

Anand Alhat From Pushpa Park Malad:
We are only asking for the implementation of the same 2016 GR. We are requesting the authorities to follow the 2016 Government Resolution properly — that beyond the 10-meter distance from the Defence boundary wall, there should be no requirement for an NOC.
We are questioning why, despite the Government’s earlier decision and even after Supreme Court directives, the residents are still suffering due to this issue.

According to our estimates, around 20,000 to 25,000 people from the entire Malad–Kandivali  area are suffering because of this issue. Nearly 20,000 to 25,000 residents are directly affected.
There are many buildings involved — you can imagine how large the area and the impact are. The next step is that we will continue to fight this issue through Atul Ji, and he is also fighting alongside us.
As C.O.D. sufferers, if the department does not listen to our concerns, then we will have no option but to come out on the streets and protest.

‘ Apart from protesting on the streets, we have no other option left. What do we want to say?
I would like to say that in 2024, the Municipal Corporation stated in the RTI reply that it would not grant fresh permissions. I believe this decision is completely illegal because the State Government has submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court stating that the 2016 circular is valid and recognized.
After that, how can the Municipal Corporation issue a circular or make a rule refusing to grant permissions contrary to the 2016 Government Resolution?
This is a very serious matter, and it needs immediate attention.” Said one of the local resident of Malad 

Core Team Member C.O.D Malad 
We are only asking for the implementation of the same 2016 GR. We are requesting the authorities to follow the 2016 Government Resolution properly — that beyond the 10-meter distance from the Defence boundary wall, there should be no requirement for an NOC.
We are questioning why, despite the Government’s earlier decision and even after Supreme Court directives, the residents are still suffering due to this issue.