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Kolhapur civic body granted building permissions in flood-prone areas: Activists

KOLHAPUR: Activists have alleged that the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) town planning department granted permission to 21 residential projects in flood- prone areas of Panchaganga river.

The activists have joined hands for early marking of river floodlines. They claimed that the illegal constructions in the flood-prone areas of the river aggravated the situation this time.


They held the town planning (TP) officials responsible for the damages caused to the properties and other losses caused due to the floods.

Baba Indulkar, an activist, said, “The markings of the floodlines are wrong. The KMC has given permission to 21 residential buildings despite knowing that these structures would come up in flood-prone areas and there will be a threat to the lives of the residents. Quick and strict action needs to be taken against the officials and the developers concerned. Construction rules were not followed by the developers, while town planning officials have failed to scrutinise the situation.”

A committee formed by the activists has decided to gather public support to force the KMC and the state government to mark floodlines in a scientific way.

They alleged that the developers have violated regulations under the bye-laws prepared by the KMC after the 2005 floods. The major violation is about not leaving stilt space above the red floodline.

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Ashok Powar, another activist, said, “Permission has been granted without considering the consequences. The flood plain has been damaged. The flat owners were in the dark about the situation during the floods. We will not allow the officials and the builders to put the city under threat for their vested interests. We will be meeting the civic authorities to keep a check on the construction activity in flood-prone areas.”

When contacted, Prasad Gaikwad, assistant director of town planning (ADTP,) said, “All the permissions are granted as per rules. If the rules are violated, then the developers will be punished.”

Gaikwad said that as per the orders of civic chief Mallinath Kalshetti, the construction of buildings or houses in flood-prone areas has been banned.

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