BMC
MUMBAI: BMC has flagged an alleged unauthorised water connection to a mosque near Mumbai airport’s Terminal 2 following a complaint by BJP leader Kirit Somaiyya, who has alleged that the structure stands on land belonging to the airport. The BMC’s K-South ward water works department inspected the site on September 16 and found that water was being supplied to the mosque through a 15-mm diameter pipeline. In a letter dated September 17, the assistant engineer of the ward asked the executive engineer, Terminal II, Mumbai Airport, to produce approval from the competent BMC authority for the water connection within seven days. He alleged that a structure measuring around 3,000 sq ft, described as a mosque, was also handed over along with the land. Somaiyya referred to a GVK/MIAL letter dated August 21, 2015, and sought an investigation and action against the officials concerned.
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The letter states that the connection was “not in the records” of the ward office. The airport authorities have been asked to disconnect the connection if it is found to be unauthorised, failing which the civic body said it would initiate further action under the Municipal Corporation Act. In a separate letter to Airports Authority of India chairman Vipan Kumar, Somaiyya alleged that 5,000 sq ft of AAI land at Mumbai airport had been “fraudulently” handed over by officials of GVK/Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) to its employee.
The inspection followed a complaint alleging an unauthorised connection to a mosque at the T2 airport taxi stand, near the JW Marriott Hotel on IA Project Road, Andheri East. He also demanded registration of an FIR against an official, alleging that the transfer of the land and structure was illegal. The BMC communication, however, is specifically related to the water connection and does not establish the ownership or legality of the land or the mosque. The civic body has sought documentary approval for the water connection from the airport authorities before deciding on further action. Download the TOI App.