Singh said the PRDA Act has provisions for regularising minor alterations by paying a penalty. "But the buildings we have listed for partial or complete demolition have carried out major alterations that are beyond regularisation."
Asked whether it was fair on the part of the residents of buildings who invested their savings to purchase flats without knowing that these were illegal, Singh said, "We have given them enough notice and all procedures have been followed.
Those who live in an illegal building know it all too well. Now, we have to take action which should act as a deterrent for the future."
All buildings in PRDA's hit list have been in use for quite some time, several apartments have had residents living in them for several years.
Asked why the PRDA did not notice these illegal constructions before they came into use, Singh said these structures had not bothered to procure 'occupancy certificates', a mandatory document before a structure is declared fully completed.
The occupancy certificate is given after a field engineer inspects a constructed structure and compares it with what was sanctioned on the building plan.
"Quite obviously, if there are discrepancies between what is constructed and what is sanctioned, the occupancy certificate is not given and the builder is asked to pull down the unsanctioned portions," said Singh.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1220097,curpg-3,fright-0,right-0.cms
