Request to Withhold NOC and Prevent Premature Demolition of Prabhadevi Bridge to Avoid Another Hancock–Carnac Bridge Fiasco
To
Shri Sanjay Mukherjee, Commissioner, MMRDA : commissioner@mmrda.maharashtra.gov.in
Copy to
Shri Anil Kumbhare, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Mumbai : jttraffic@mum.police.gov.in
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Subject: Request to Withhold NOC and Prevent Premature Demolition of Prabhadevi Bridge to Avoid Another Hancock–Carnac Bridge Fiasco
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Respected Sir,
1. Request to Withhold NOC and Stop Illegal Demolition
This is to request Shri Anil Kumbhare, Jt. CP Traffic, Mumbai, to hold back any NOC and restrain MMRDA from proceeding with the demolition of the Prabhadevi Bridge without fulfilling mandatory legal and administrative requirements. Citizens must not be made to suffer another avoidable disaster like Hancock Bridge and Carnac Bridge, where poor planning caused enormous hardship.
2. MMRDA’s Track Record and Lack of Preparedness
MMRDA does not possess adequate infrastructure, staff competence, vision, or planning to execute such critical works. Its past record clearly shows substandard execution and a lack of accountability or moral responsibility towards taxpayers. If this statement is incorrect, please educate me with evidence to the contrary.
3. Illegal and Premature Demolition Without Road Widening
3.1. Demolishing the bridge without first removing legally constructed buildings obstructing road widening is illogical, unlawful, and amounts to fraud on citizens.
3.2. Without road widening, reconstruction cannot even begin, and arbitrary demolition will paralyze traffic and burden the public.
3.3. Your own technical report recommends strengthening of the bridge and nowhere states that it is beyond repair or urgently dangerous. Hence, no urgency exists for demolition until all prerequisites are met.
4. Failure to Consult Citizens and Follow Due Process
4.1. The Hon. Bombay High Court has directed that objections of alert citizens must be considered.
4.2. No official consultation or hearing has been provided despite written objections.
4.3. You cannot demolish the bridge without providing citizens an opportunity to verify MMRDA’s bona fides, credentials, and concrete plans to complete reconstruction within the stated 18-month period.
5. Demand for Transparency and Records
Kindly provide copies of all relevant documents, including:
5.1. Structural audit reports.
5.2. Sanctioned plans, timelines, and budgets for reconstruction.
5.3. Approvals for road widening and evidence of action against obstructing structures.
5.4. Correspondence and files regarding public consultation and NOC issuance.
6. Accountability and Legal Consequences
Any officer who consents to illegal demolition without satisfying mandatory requirements is liable for criminal prosecution and to pay compensation for wrongful acts committed against larger public interest.
7. Clarification Sought
If any of my submissions are factually or legally incorrect, kindly educate me by providing documentary proof and clarifications.
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In public interest, I request you to immediately withhold any action on demolition until full compliance with statutory, judicial, and administrative requirements.
Jai Hind.
Kamlakar Shenoy