A 55-metre wall couldn’t be constructed in 6 years!

The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) aims to work for the redevelopment of slum pockets by demolishing huts and then rehabilitating them in new skyscrappers or highrise buildings. Similarly, BMC also claims to work for the welfare of its citizens by keeping check on the basic amenities. However, it seems that these public welfare bodies have forgotten their basic motto.

Usually, SRA takes an average of four to five years to construct a building after demolishing slums in a given area. Also, the BMC that gives contracts to various developers for constructing structures like toilets, drainage lines etc take at least a year or two for the same.

But this time, these authorities especially the SRA and a developer has redefined the term “lethargic” as they have failed to construct a mere 55 metres wall alongside a nullah in Ghatkopar. Adding to their achievements, these authorities have taken more than six years and have completed only “50%” of the wall. The reason for dragging this small construction work for six years is known only to these authorities, who have now resorted to the popular “blame game.”

In all this, the ones who are adversely affected especially during the monsoon season are the hundreds of residents living in Ghatkopar’s Pant Nagar and nearby areas. The stagnant water that is a den of deadly diseases enters the house of these residents in the absence of the wall that purports to obstruct the flow of water in their homes.

Since past six years, these residents have to suffer due to this and they are left with no other option than to bear the brunt of the failure of these authorities. Probably their sufferings are going to continue this year too.

Surprisingly, neither SRA nor BMC and the developer have paid any heed to the orders dated October 10, 2011. The then Chief Justice Mohit Shah had directed SRA and the developer to construct the wall alongside the nullah within four months. Despite these orders, the authorities have not completed the construction and have now indulged in passing the buck to each other.

At present, the only hope for these residents is Bombay High Court’s Chief Justice Manjula Chellur. The Bench presided over by Chief Justice Chellur and Justice Nitin Jamdar recently heard a contempt petition in this matter.

The judges were informed that BMC has not granted permission to construct the wall and resultantly, the work has been pending. Even a photograph was placed before the judges claiming that 50% work has been completed.

Having heard the submissions, Chief Justice Chellur expressed her anguish on these authorities and have now sought a clarification for this delay.

Chief Justice Chellur said, “After looking at these photos, we are not satisfied that 50% work is completed.”

“If they (authorities) were to complete the construction within four months from the date of permission from the civic body and if that was properly implemented, today they need not have to say that the permission was granted belatedly,” Chief Justice Chellur said.

Pulling up the authorities, Chief Justice Chellur remarked, “Till this contempt petition is filed, neither the BMC nor the other authorities have opened their eyes and now they are giving excuses and reasons why the construction of Nala wall could not be completed in the last six years. If the things had happened in the way they were expected to happen, it would not have been dragged for six years.”

The judges are likely to hear this petition in the last week this month.

Usually, SRA takes an average of four to five years to construct a building after demolishing slums in a given area. Also, the BMC that gives contracts to various developers for constructing structures like toilets, drainage lines etc take at least a year or two for that