Mumbai News: Dadar Civic Group Serves Legal Notice To BMC Over Illegal Blinkit Warehouse In Prabhadevi High-Rise Basement

Mumbai: A Dadar-based civic group has served a legal notice to civic officials for failing to act against an illegal warehouse in Prabhadevi high-rise building’s basement, allegedly operated by quick-delivery giant Blinkit.

While the municipal commissioner had recently directed officials to ensure that basements are not utilised for any other activity than parking, the officials of G/South ward have consistently failed to take action against the illegal warehouse even after almost three months.

On May 25, The Free Press Journal reported that an illegal Blinkit warehouse is operating in the under-construction high-rise residential project Sumer Trinity Towers, located on the New Prabhadevi Road.

Clubhouse Space Illegally Converted to Warehouse by Blinkit

According to a complaint by civic group Chakachak Dadar dated May 9, the 3,000 sq.ft. space occupied by Blinkit in the basement is reserved for a clubhouse but has been illegally converted into a commercial warehouse.

Use of Parking Area for Commercial Purposes Violates Zoning Rules

It has demanded action against M/s Sumer Builders and Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd (Blinkit) for the change of use of the clubhouse. It alleged the misuse of designated parking space for commercial gain violates zoning norms, floor space index (FSI) regulations and amenity usage guidelines.

Civic group demands BMC crackdown on alleged illegal Blinkit warehouse inside Prabhadevi basement

No Action Despite Complaints; Legal Notice Sent to BMC Officials

Due to BMC’s inaction against the illegal warehouse even after multiple letters and follow-ups, the civic group has served a legal notice to the BMC officials. The legal notice, served through Adv Suraj S. Ghoghare on July 28, has been served to assistant engineer (building and factory) Satish Anerao, assistant commissioner Swapnaja Kshirsagar, deputy commissioner Prashant Sakpale and additional commissioner Dr. Ashwini Joshi.

The notice stated that the BMC officials are in breach of various acts, including municipal corporation, town planning, development control, and are liable for penal action under the criminal laws. It has urged the officials to initiate enforcement action against the illegal structure, and conduct departmental disciplinary proceedings against the officials involved.

Civic Commissioner Recently Directed Officials to Enforce Proper Use of Basements

Notably, the municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, on July 23, had reportedly directed BMC officials to ensure that the basement parking areas are strictly used only for their designated purpose. He instructed the teams to visit such establishments and confirm that the basements were not used for activities which are not permitted.

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Activist Questions Whether Political Pressure or Profits Are Delaying Action

Talking to FPJ, Chakchak Dadar’s founder Chetan Kamble said, “When BMC can take swift and coordinated action at Kamla Mills, what stops them at Sumer Trinity Clubhouse? Despite multiple complaints and even a legal notice, no action has been taken. Is it political pressure or administrative shielding? Or worse, are illegal profits being protected through silent consent? Citizens deserve transparency and equal enforcement of the law.”