After 35 years, Tower of corruption in Mumbai finally come to its fate !
Mumbai’s original corruption tower, popularly known as Pratibha has been finally annihilated to the ground after 35 years. This step has been taken after the detection of massive violations that were exposed by city collector Arun Bhatia.
The building is located in the Breach-candy area in the Tony Pedder Road. It was upended as a speechless testimony of Mumbai’s first ever Floor-space index scandal. The building is a 36-storey tower. Top eight illegal constructions of floor have been wrecked by the BMC. Each floor was comprising two sprawling flats. The original buyers were high profile people such as Asha Bhonsle and Lata Mangeshkar, NRIs. Net worth individuals, and private firms.
The complete coverage behind Pratibha building
This story started fro, 1984 when the revenue authorities informed to BMC that the violations are being done in Pratibha building. In the response, BMC issued the notice of stopping the construction work but till then the work of 36 floors got completed. In August 1984, BMC issued show cause notice telling the reason of the demolition of eight floors. After that owners approached the court. In November 1985, more than 100 hutment dwellers storm Pratibha building and demanded alternative housing. The demolition started in March 1989 and the society reconstruction plan was failed in 2007. Moreover, in 2012 the society invited the bids for the sale of property. But this bid also gets failed.
Current scenario
The Pratibha housing society comprises of 35 members that decided to pull down the rest of 26 floors. Presently, the devastation work is in taking place. Many workers were reported to raze columns and pillars. The building has been barricaded at the entrance. The signboards can also be seen and the passers-by are warned of falling debris. Also, the drivers are told not to park their four and two wheelers. Jayant Vohra, the secretary of Pratibha building said they are left with no other option but to edifice down as they have to provide lodging to all members. He further added that still the decision needs to be taken that they have to sell the land or rebuild the tower.
The discovery of graft has been done by Arun Bhatia
A city collector, Arun Bhatia in 1984. He came across the Pratibha building scam while piloting a post mortem on building sanctions. Also, the man who disclosed the major scam of Pratibha building was awarded Padma Bhushan for showing his courage and honesty.
Arun Bhatia who is currently living in Pune said that he was soon transferred after he brings the SCAM into the light. He also added that during the tenure of previous municipal commissioner, Sharad Kale, the eight floors of building were demolished. Moreover, the building architect changed the land records to enhance the area of construction. He also said that superintendent who was responsible to keep the land records was behind the bars. And society members will be in profit if they rebuild the tower.
