Mumbai News

Bombay HC seeks replies from state, BMC on PIL by MLA for more security surveillance at Versova beach – Times of India

MUMBAI: Bombay high court on Monday directed authorities including the civic body to file replies to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by member of legislative assembly (MLA) from Andheri, Ameet satam seeking “permanent action for protective surveillance of the Versova beach by trained police personnel’’ .
Satam’s advocate Pralhad Paranjpe arguing the matter briefly before Bench of Justice AA Sayed and Justice Abhay Ahuja said illegal encroachments in form of shanties and ‘methi farms’ on the beach breed “graver problems such as drug peddling and prostitution at night’’ making the beach unsafe for common citizens.
He did not mention the concerns raised in the PIL due to “proximity’’ to ports across international waters. It was the first hearing. The court asked the BMC advocate Urja Dhond and government pleader Purnima Kantharia what they intend to do to make the beach more secure for citizens. Kantharia said she will seek information and present it.
The HC adjourned the matter to December 20.
Satam in the PIL said he had in 2015 written several letters to the police commissioner of Mumbai regarding encroachments on the beach and raised security concerns citing distances in nautical miles of ports of other nations.
He said he also wrote to the civic chief in 2016 to re-tender or re-work the existing beach cleaning tender and later in 2017 wrote to the chief conservator of Mangrove Cell “highlighting the inadequate fencing around mangroves adjoining’’ the beach and also the destruction of mangroves and several more before last January requesting the BMC to initiate a tender for illumination of Versova beach till Juhu end to prevent illegal shanties from springing up, repeatedly, despite demolition.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/bombay-hc-seeks-replies-from-state-bmc-on-pil-by-mla-for-more-security-surveillance-at-versova-beach/articleshow/88130950.cms