India, Sept. 29 -- Just like in Vasai-Virar, the neighbouring twin suburbs of Mira-Bhayander also have a large number of unauthorised constructions. S Muzaffar Hussain, former Congress MLC, traces the origin of this trend to the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976. "When the Act came into being, landowners, who were predominantly farmers, did not have clarity about the new law and feared losing their holdings. This is when unauthorised buildings with three to four floors mushroomed in the mid-1980s," said Hussain. Activist and advocate Krishna Gupta is fighting an uphill battle to get a list of unauthorised structures listed on the MBMC's portal. "I have sent 37 reminders to MBMC commissioners and other officials," Gupta said. "There is a government resolution directing civic bodies to mandatorily make such disclosures, yet only a fraction are made public." A project making news is 20-year-old Ostwal Paradise Society, comprising six buildings riddled with illegalities. On August 30, Umraosingh Ostwal, director of Shree Ostwal Builders, was arrested for allegedly creating fake construction permits and maps of Mira Road's Ostwal Paradise Building No 6. "The permit was only till the 4th floor, but the developer constructed seven storeys. He also forged the plans of buildings 4, 5 and 6 and sold flats," alleged a resident. "He also tampered with documents and permissions in the construction of building No 7." It appears the developer blamed his now deceased architect. But the police secured a letter where the architect in 2009 had brought the illegality to the notice of the authorities, and the police nailed the developer, the resident said. While Umraosingh Ostwal was arrested last month, home owners are paying the price. The Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC), in April 2024, ordered a survey of the buildings, putting a question mark on their apartments. Another similar case is being handled by the MBMC, on the directions of the Bombay High Court, against Ravi Developers....