Defence Ministry Objects, Demands Suspension of Godrej Properties’ Mumbai Residential Venture
They have communicated in a note that the plot is situated within a 500-metre radius of the Kandivali complex.
24th May 2024
The Defence Ministry has raised objections to a residential project by Godrej Properties in Mumbai and requested a halt in construction. The ministry cited the project’s proximity to the Central Ordnance Depot (COD) complex in Kandivali and expressed concerns about potential risks. The project, estimated to generate around Rs 7,000 crore in revenue, is now under scrutiny due to these security-related concerns.
Godrej Reserve project spans across an 18.6-acre land parcel. The developer has initiated the launch of approximately 1.91 million square feet of the project, with bookings already secured for 1.51 million square feet amounting to Rs 2,693 crore, as per the company’s regulatory filing for the fiscal year 2024.
The Defence Ministry unit has requested a “stop-work notice” against the project from the building proposal department of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM). They have communicated in a note that the plot is situated within a 500-metre radius of the Kandivali complex.
“As a responsible developer, all our projects commence post grant of appropriate and necessary approvals from concerned authorities. In this case too, all requisite approvals from concerned authorities and RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) are intact,” said a Godrej Properties spokesperson. “We have not received communication from any concerned authority citing any non-compliance on our part.”
RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) plays a pivotal role in protecting the rights of property buyers. It requires developers to register their projects with the authority and establishes regulations for the sale and acquisition of properties.
The Central Ordnance Depot (COD) referred to the Union government’s guidelines from May 2011, which state that construction activity is prohibited within 100 metres of any defence establishment. Additionally, construction of up to four storeys is permissible within a distance of 100-500 metres from the periphery, provided a no-objection certificate (NOC) is obtained from the Defence Ministry.