Nagpur: Expressing strong displeasure over the sluggish pace of demolition at Poonam Towers and Poonam Chambers, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay high court on Monday directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to ensure strict supervision and remove unauthorised constructions within the stipulated deadlines. The demolition was undertaken pursuant to earlier court orders, with Nandkumar Khattumal Harchandani, known as N Kumar, assuring the court that the illegal portions would be removed. During Monday’s hearing before a division bench of Justices Anil Pansare and Nivedita Mehta, the court noted that instead of submitting a detailed progress report, the petitioners filed only photographs. Observing that compliance with its earlier directives was not satisfactorily demonstrated, the bench recorded that the pace of demolition was “extremely slow”. According to an affidavit filed by NMC, only 22 sq m of unauthorised construction in Poonam Towers and 300 sq m in Poonam Chambers were removed so far.Around 2,600 sq m of unauthorised construction on the seventh floor of Poonam Chambers, including excess height violations, remained untouched. In Poonam Towers, approximately 1,300 sq m spanning the basement, first to eighth floors, and an additional service floor was yet to be demolished.The court reiterated that the illegal construction in the Towers must be removed by April 10, and in the Chambers by March 31. Even counsel for the municipal corporation conceded that progress was not satisfactory.Granting a final opportunity to the petitioners, the bench ordered the civic body to deploy personnel on site and ensure timely completion of demolition. The matter was posted for further hearing on March 4.
