Demolition work on two illegally constructed studios at Bhatigaon in Erangal village at Madh Island, Bombay began on September 13 under the supervision of officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The razing work of Millionaire City Studio and Expression Studio was being carried out by the owners.
The P-North ward of the BMC had a fortnight back issued notices to Balaji Tirupati Cinema, Millionaire City Studio and Expression Studio, directing them to stop all activities and produce coastal regulation zone (CRZ) recommendations/permissions issued by the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA). The BMC warned of action if the papers were not produced. When the studios failed to produce the CRZ recommendations, the Bombay suburban collector on September 7 directed the P-North ward officer to initiate action and demolish the structures. Balaji Tirupati Cinema on August 30 obtained a stay from the court against the BMC order. The structure built by Bhatia Bollywood Studio, which was granted similar permissions, was demolished by the owners last month.
According to BMC officials, only temporary permissions were given for the studio structures. Similarly, the MCZMA said, it had granted CRZ recommendations for three temporary film studio structures for six months only.
BMC chief I.S. Chahal had last week ordered an inquiry against 49 allegedly unauthorised studios at Madh, Marve, Erangal and Bhatigaon, built between 2021 and 2022 and also into the allegations that thousands of square metres of such studios were being built without proper permissions and with fraudulent documents. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya had raised the issue of the illegality of the studios.