Bombay High Court asks if satellite imaging can be made mandatory to monitor illegal structures

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court today suggested the Maharashtra government to consider making it mandatory for all civic bodies and district councils to use satellite imaging for keeping track of illegal constructions mushrooming under their respective jurisdiction.


This was proposed by a division bench of Justices N H Patil and V L Achiliya while hearing a public interest litigation alleging rampant corruption in sanctioning of 110 building proposals by Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation in 2010.

"Are you (government) making use of modern technology to monitor this (illegal constructions)? Why don't you make satellite imaging compulsory and mandatory for every corporation. Some corrective steps need to be taken," the court said.

The bench directed additional public prosecutor Aruna Kamat-Pai to discuss the issue and the suggestion put forth by the court with the secretary of state urban development department and posted the matter for hearing tomorrow.

The PIL filed by one Ravi Talreja alleged that then town planner A P Gurgule, in collusion with civic officials, had granted either permission or regularised 110 unauthorised structures in contravention of the Development Control Regulations (DCR).

The bench was informed by the state government that inquiry has been initiated against Gurgule and action has been recommended against two junior engineers of Ulhasnagar civic body.

The court sought to know what steps the corporation has taken to tackle the issue. "Why is the Ulhasnagar municipal corporation allowing such illegal constructions? What steps have been taken to curb it?" the court said.

The court also sought to know if any criminal complaints have been filed against the errant officials and developers.