Santacruz residents allege SRA violated DCPR 2034 over mall blocking TPS 6 Road

Residents Allege Road Encroachment by Developer in Santacruz

Santacruz residents have raised serious allegations against the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA). They claim that key provisions of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034 have been violated. This has led to potential long-term inconvenience for daily commuters.

Details of the Proposed Road

The controversy centers on TPS 6 Road No. 1. This proposed road is planned to be 12.20 meters wide and aims to provide direct access to Santacruz railway station for local residents.

Claims of Encroachment

According to locals, a private developer has encroached upon the entire stretch of the proposed road. A mall has been constructed on this land. “The construction of the mall has completely obstructed the planned road alignment,” said Navneet Madan, a local resident.

Impact on Commuters

Due to this obstruction, commuters who were expected to benefit from the direct road link must now use PM Road to reach the station. This road has been diverted and connected to Phirozshah Mehta Road, complicating access.

Regulatory Violations

Residents point out that under DCPR 2034, road diversions are not permitted. The regulations allow only realignment of roads within designated boundaries, which requires approvals.

Locals allege that the SRA regularized the mall, which was originally constructed illegally. They claim the road diversion plan was rejected by the Development Plan Department (DP Department), yet the diversion was implemented anyway.

Concerns Over Permanent Obstruction

Recently, a part Occupation Certificate (OC) was granted to the mall. This raises fears that the obstruction may become permanent. “The proposed road was meant to make our lives easier,” said a local resident. “Now, we spend nearly 25 minutes and at least R40 per trip just to reach the railway station.”

Future Access to the Station

Residents believe that once the road is operational as per DCPR norms, pedestrians could reach the station within five minutes by walking.

Demands for Action

With the mall now on the proposed road alignment, residents worry about restoring access. Citizen groups demand immediate intervention, cancellation of the alleged illegal regularization, and strict adherence to DCPR 2034. They warn that failure to act could set a dangerous precedent for urban planning violations in Mumbai.

Statements from Residents

“Not establishing the proposed Road No. 1 will lead to excessive inconvenience,” said Ajit Ajgaonkar, a resident. “We will have to take a longer route that is always jammed with traffic.”

“Despite several complaints and raising the matter in Vidhan Sabha, the mall stands,” said Ajay Desai, another local resident. “SRA does not have the power to divert roads.”

Questions Raised by Residents

Residents question how a proposed road was encroached upon. They ask how the builder was allowed to construct a ground+3 mall and how the illegal construction was regularized. “We don’t understand who should be blamed for this,” said Sanjay Patkar, another local resident.

SRA’s Response

How did the SRA approve the diversion of PM Road despite the DP Department rejecting it? The SRA stated that the 12.20-meter-wide DP Road was realigned in 2017. This was done as per regulation 11(4) of DCR 1991, with concurrence from BMC. The BMC approved the realignment on August 3, 2019. The work was carried out beyond the Commencement Certificate, but an approval was regularized by recovering a penalty of R2.49 crore. The SRA claims that action is not warranted as the realignment was done according to regulations.