VIRAR: The Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) suspended Ganesh Patil, an Assistant Municipal Commissioner (AMC), for failing to take action against illegal constructions in his area. The corporation emphasized that ongoing illegal structures will no longer be tolerated.
Following the Virar building collapse last month that resulted in 17 deaths and nine injuries, VVCMC pledged to initiate a significant demolition campaign starting September 8. A special team consisting of ten squads, each with five VVCMC members, was created for this purpose. Patil received a show cause notice on September 9, yet he and his team allegedly took no action on the designated date, violating their duties.
Patil had previously faced suspension in July 2023 due to allegations that his team misused tax collections intended for the municipal treasury. Although he was later reinstated, his recent failure to act in the demolition drive indicates ongoing negligence. A senior official at VVCMC affirmed the corporation’s commitment to addressing illegal construction, detailing that the special squad’s mission is solely to demolish any ongoing structures erected without VVCMC approval. As of Thursday, the municipal authority had demolished over 86,000 square feet of illegal constructions.
