The tallest planned building in Mumbai has hit problems in construction. The residential tower Palais Royale in Worli, designed by Talati & Panthaky Associates with Lehr Consultants and RWDI Engineering, has come under attack from city-based NGO Janhit Manch for ‘blatant irregularities’ in construction.

The NGO has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) on the grounds that space reserved as a refuge area has been sold and that the height of the building is over the commencement certificate.

The Times of India gave the following quotes from Senior Advocate Navroze Serwai and the PIL: “The building told Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation that it had earmarked around three lakh square feet as refuge area, which can be used by outsiders in cases of emergencies like flood, cyclone. However, RTI documents reveal that around two lakh square feet area has been included in flats as outer deck area, and sold.

“The commencement certificate, first issued in February 2005 and extended from time to time ‘til last year, allows for construction up to 43 floors. However, the builder has already constructed 52 floors.”