Gorai’s Sun Beach Resort now hit by CRZ violation charges, BJP leader calls for action

Sun Beach Resort is adjacent to the sea face. Pic/Nimesh Dave

The Sun Beach Resort in Gorai, which recently got a health licence despite being under litigation, now also faces allegations of CRZ norms violation. BJP leader Shiva Shetty has alleged that the resort spread around four acres bordering the sea face at Gorai has indulged in construction activities in stark violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone norms and has called for action on the lines of charges that Transport Minister Anil Parab and Sena leader Milind Narvekar are facing. The resort had been under BMC scanner following plaints of illegal construction and the civic body had undertaken a demolition drive there in 2014.

Complaints since 2016

Later in 2016, Shetty, who was a Congress corporator, had filed a complaint with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation informing about alleged encroachment of government land, construction of a swimming pool and rooms on the premises of the resort in violation of the CRZ norms. However, as the civic body did not take action, Shetty took up the issue with then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Mumbai suburban collector, seeking action against the resort management and owner.

A file photo of construction work at the resort

Despite several complaints and litigation, the BMC issued a health licence to the resort in violation of its own rule, as reported by mid-day on April 19. According to the BMC norms, no licence or permission should be issued to any premises or establishments if there is a pending legal case.

Speaking to mid-day, Shetty claimed that the swimming pool was constructed after BMC's demolition drive in 2014. "Now the structure is much bigger than what it was prior to the demolition drive. Earlier resort had only 12 to 14 rooms and there was no swimming pool. Now, it has a pool and nearly 40 rooms," Shetty said, adding that there are also ground-plus-one storey structures on the premises now.

"I have been pursuing the issue for nearly six years. But, instead of action against its illegal construction, the resort is growing bigger with each passing year," Shetty said. The Congress turncoat leader has demanded that the Sun Beach Resort face similar action like Parab and Narvekar, personal assistant of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya had alleged that Parab and Narvekar indulged in construction activities flouting CRZ norms. Immediately after the allegation, Narvekar, apprehending action, demolished his sea-facing bungalow in Murud, Ratnagiri district. However, Parab has repeatedly refuted charges of having any connection to the resort which Somaiya claimed was constructed in violation of CRZ norms.

‘Allegations are false'

Abdul Hamid Mapkana Shah is the owner of the establishment and his son Danish runs the business in partnership with Yash Mishra, son of advocate Vijay Mishra. When mid-day contacted Vijay Mishra, he claimed that allegations are levelled against their resort with intention to extort money. "The BMC had carried out demolition on other structures and not on the present structure for which the resort has all the permissions from the civic body to run the business," Mishra said.

A ground-plus-one storey structure on the resort premises

He also refuted Shetty's claims about the swimming pool and said, "The allegation that the pool was constructed after demolition is wrong. Also, who is Shiva Shetty to decide whether there were 14 rooms earlier and now 40? It is the competent authority which has to decide on the legality."

Asked about allegations of CRZ violations, he said, "To the best of my knowledge there are no CRZ violations. We have all the required and necessary permissions to run the resort business."

Authority speak

Nidhi Chaudhary, collector of Mumbai Suburban district, told mid-day, "We will examine the complaint on merit and accordingly necessary action will be initiated."

2014
Year BMC undertook a demolition drive at the resort

2016
Year Shetty first complained of alleged CRZ violations