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Mumbai Skyscraper Rises from Scam-Hit Plot
27 Oct
Summary
- A 179.4-meter skyscraper will be built on the former Pratibha site.
- The original Pratibha building was demolished in phases due to a scam.
- The new tower will be more than twice the height of Rajabai Clock Tower.
A new 179.4-meter skyscraper is under development in Mumbai, destined to replace the infamous Pratibha building. This towering structure will feature a basement, ground and mezzanine levels, six podium floors, an amenity floor, and residential floors from the 8th to the 32nd. The 33rd floor is designated for recreational facilities and a fitness centre.
The original 36-floor Pratibha building, constructed over 40 years ago, was demolished in phases, with the final demolition occurring in February 2019. The site's history is marked by a significant building scam uncovered in 1984, involving false declarations of plot area that led to illegally gained floor space. The top eight floors of the original tower were declared illegal and demolished by the BMC in the mid-1990s.
Notable original buyers of flats in Pratibha included high-net-worth individuals, NRIs, private firms, and renowned singers Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle. Investigations into the scam revealed involvement of various officers, though clarity on punishments remains elusive. The developer has confirmed no current restraining orders or litigation regarding the plot.
The site had previously been put up for bids in 2012 with a reserve price of Rs 900 crore, attracting interest from entities like Breach Candy Hospital, but no buyers emerged at that price. The new skyscraper's completion date is not specified.
