Media reports from ET Realty suggest that an internal BMC inspection has found that almost 16,000 sq m of built-up area on the Raghuvanshi Mills, Worli is illegal. The inspection report is in its final stages of preparation and is expected to be submitted to municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta by the end of the month.

The BMC decided to conduct a probe to check if illegalities existed at Raghuvanshi Mills after the Kamala Mills blaze in December killed 14 people.

A civic official aware of the inquiry told TOI, "As per civic records, the original mill area was 24,357 sq m and the built-up area 26,486 sq m. After the inquiry committee was formed, we decided to find out the current status of the built-up area. On checking the BMCs property tax assessment records, we were shocked to see that the current built-up area was 40,337 sq m. This is almost 16,000 sq m more than the original area mentioned in our records."

Civic officials added that they have decided to propose penalty on property tax being paid by those using unauthorized space.

At present, the BMC receives nearly ₹4.5 crore in property tax from structures located at Raghuvanshi Mills. As per the proposed new rules, owners will have to pay twice the property tax on the illegal area.

Source