Mumbai News: Advocate Seeks Urgent Action Against Illegal Construction Near 1,000-Year-Old Ambernath Shiv Mandir

Advocate Sarita Khanchandani, who has been actively fighting against alleged illegal construction near the historic Shiv Mandir in Ambernath, has now approached the District Collector seeking an urgent virtual hearing into continued excavation and concretisation activities near the ancient monument. Her latest letter warns of “irreparable damage” being done to the heritage structure and the nearby Waldhuni River, despite official notices to halt all activity.

The Shiv Mandir, a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, is over 1,000 years old and stands as a symbol of Maharashtra’s architectural legacy. However, Khanchandani alleges that illegal excavation and construction activities are being carried out within 5 to 10 meters of the temple premises—far within the prohibited 300-meter buffer zone mandated by law.

In her representation, which has also been marked to top authorities including the Director of the ASI (Delhi), Thane Police Commissioner, SDO Ulhasnagar, Tahsildar Ambernath, MPCB Regional Officer (Kalyan), and officials from the Irrigation Department, Khanchandani has urged immediate intervention.

She pointed out that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had already issued a Stop Work Notice and a Show Cause Notice to the Ambernath Municipal Council (AMC) for violating provisions of the AMASR Act. However, she claims, the municipal council has continued with “intentional and deliberate violations” by proceeding with construction, riverbed digging, and concreting in the restricted area.

“The continuous vibrations from heavy machinery and ongoing digging have weakened the already dilapidated Mandir structure,” Khanchandani said in her letter. “This is a direct threat to one of our most precious heritage monuments.”

The complaint cites violations under Sections 19, 20A, 30A, and 30(1) of the AMASR Act, as well as breaches of multiple provisions under the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act and the Maharashtra Municipal Councils Act. Khanchandani also raised constitutional concerns, citing Article 48A, which mandates the protection and improvement of the environment.

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“There is visible, irreparable damage being caused not only to the temple but also to the Waldhuni River, its riparian ecology, and heritage trees,” she wrote.

Despite pending proceedings on the issue before the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission, Khanchandani alleges that the AMC has failed to respect regulatory processes and continued construction without proper permissions.

She concluded by appealing to all concerned authorities to “urgently intervene and stop the illegal work immediately to protect the structural sanctity of the ancient temple and the surrounding environment.”