Mumbai high-rise Rustomjee Crown faces civic body axe; illegal changes in 9 flats razed

Nearly nine flats at Mumbai's luxury high-rise Rustomjee Crown faced demolition on Tuesday, August 25, amid the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) ongoing anti-encroachment campaign. The unauthorised structures were removed due to alterations in the approved building design. Located in Prabhadevi, the high-rise features three wings, with occupation certificates issued for 186 flats in the A and B wings across 63 floors.

The BMC launched the demolition drive after receiving complaints about FSI violations and unauthorized construction. Ward office notices were issued to flat owners accused of making alterations, followed by speaking orders in specific cases. On Monday, August 24, the civic authorities began removing unauthorized constructions.

The violations comprised using wooden materials and lightweight bricks to enclose the common lobby area within the flat's habitable space. Kitchen spaces also showed several irregularities. To carry out the removal, the BMC deployed 15 laborers, two supervisors, four engineers, and eight police personnel on Tuesday.

The issue came to light in November after RTI activist Santosh Daundkar flagged encroachments in the building's lobby areas. He alleged that flat owners illegally merged common space with their apartments, increasing the usable carpet area. Based on the current market rate of around Rs 50,000 per sqft, the unauthorised area amounted to Rs 2.25 crore to Rs 2.50 crore per flat.

Considering the 186 flats in Tower A, the aggregate market value of the encroached area is estimated between Rs 225 crore and Rs 250 crore, as per Daundkar's complaint.