May 11: In a controversial move, termed as a ``sell-out to industrialists'' by the opposition, about 1.5 lakh square metres of barren land at Chembur has been reserved for public purposes by the BMC under state government's ``obligatory orders.''

Sources alleged that the government has assured Polychem Distilleries Ltd, owners of the land, transferable development right (TDR) at prime locations in the posh western suburb of Bandra, including the Bandra Kurla Complex.

The land bearing CTS nos 393, 394, 395 and 395 (1 to 7) of village Anik and CTS nos 592, 592/1-B, 593, and 594 of village Mahul admeasuring 1,47,854 sqare metres, situated in the Special Industrial Zone (I-3), was partly earmarked for the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and a green belt in the Development Plan for Chembur.

Sources said at existing prices and due to industrial zone restrictions, the land was likely to fetch more than Rs 100 per sq ft in Mahul and Anik. However, the use of the TDR on land of equal area in the Bandra Kurla Complex would fetch Rs 120 crore.

The urban development department, vide letter no.DCR/1096/344/CR-95/96/UD-11 dated July 4, 1996, and another letter dated August 8, 1996, issued ``obligatory directives'' under Section 37 (1) of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, to the BMC to modify the Development Plan and reserve the land for three gardens, a play ground and a school, and a road, totally admeasuring 41,410 square meters. As per the directives, the owner of the land was to be allowed to develop the amenities at its own cost and hand over the same to the BMC free of cost in lieu of the TDR. The BMC was also directed to permit the owner to maintain the amenities for 20 years.

Though, even minute amendments to the Development Plan are thoroughly scrutinised and discussed at length before their approval, the Sena, then enjoying absolute majority in the BMC following the resignation of all Congress councillors, approved the proposal within a fortnight.

Acting swiftly on the government's orders, the municipal commissioner wrote a letter dated December 21, 1996 seeking the approval of the BMC improvements committee. The matter marked ``urgent business'' was approved by the committee. The proposal was given the final nod by the BMC general body on January 6, in one of its last meetings before the civic elections. Sources said after leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Congress's Chhagan Bhujbal launched a scathing attack on the ruling Sena-BJP alliance on this issue, the matter was not followed up by the company. ``Even if we consider the existing slump in real estate prices, the use of the TDR anywhere in Bandra even in distant future would mean a profit in crores. But as of now, there is no further follow up on the matter ,'' sources said.

Former mayor and senior Congress corporator R R Singh told Express Newsline that reservation of land near sensitive installations like the BARC and the Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum refineries for public purposes would jeopardise the national security. ``This is the biggest land scam in Mumbai which obviously has the blessings of the government,'' he said. Singh has already sought to re-open the issue before the BMC general body. ``We will not let the BMC authorities get bulldozed by the government into making whimsical decisions,'' Singh said.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.