Anil Ambani, the chief of ADAG (Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group) is planning to build a 150-metre tall building on Nargis Dutt Road, Pali Hill, Bandra, reports Mumbai Mirror. Work on the building has already reached the plinth level.
Ravi Muthreja, spokesperson for ADAG confirmed that the plot on the Nargis Dutt road will house a residence for Anil Ambani and his family. Muthreja, however, refused to share any details of the project.
Meanwhile, members of the Pali Hill Residents Association (PHRA), who are opposing the project, however, revealed that the Ambanis have got permission to build a 66-metre tall structure and applications have been moved to raise the height to 150 metres.
Anil's brother Mukesh's building Antillia, for record, towers over almost all of south Mumbai at 170 metres and has Mukesh's personal library on the top floor. If Anil's new house gets the clearance for 150 metres, it would dwarf everything in its sight in Bandra.
A senior officer from the Buildings Proposal Department of BMC, who did not wish to be identified, confirmed that his office has received a proposal from the Ambanis for a residential building in Bandra. "It's a preliminary proposal. I would not like to comment on the proposed or sanctioned height of the building," he added.
The 1537 sq mt plot where the Ambani house is being built was home to a bungalow of Bombay Suburban Electricity Supply company's (BSES) chairman. In early 2000, when Reliance gained control of BSES, the spacious bungalow came into its ownership.
Subsequently, in 2005 when the brothers split, Anil got the power business and with it this quaint bungalow on Pali Hill.
Anil currently stays with his wife, sons and mother at the 17-storeyed Sea Wind building at Cuffe Parade.
The Pali Hill Residents Association, meawhile, are building up their case to oppose any move to allow Anil's house to rise to 150 metres. "There is water reservoir that supplies to almost all of Bandra and Khar adjacent to this plot. The new building will also be in the flight path of planes taking off and landing at the airport," said Madhu Poplai, secretary, PHRA.
The residents association is also raising questions about the plot's ownership. "After Reliance Energy acquired BSES and plot came into their possession, the land was sold to Kunj Bihari Developers, whose main officials, including the directors, were employees with Reliance Infrastructure. This huge plot was sold to Kunj Bihari Developers for just Rs 43 lakhs," PHRA chairman Amitav Shukla said.
Muthreja, however, dismissed all of PHRA's reservations. "There are so many highrises in the area, we do not know where are these objections coming from," he said
