MHADA to cut utility services of dilapidated bldgs

Following the tragic incident at Ghatkopar where a deteriorating building collapsed, Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has decided to evict all occupants of its dilapidated structures immediately. A senior MHADA official said that they would soon disconnect utility services of these structures.

There are several occupants who have refused to vacate the premises because of which the authority will disconnect services. A senior official revealed that there are some families that are accepting the rent amount from the developer despite refusing to vacate the flats. He said, “We are following up with the occupants of these structures on a daily basis. It has been notified that there are nine families, who have refused to vacate the place, and are receiving a monthly rent from the developer who has been roped in to redevelop the structure.”

Some of the occupants of the dilapidated structure fear that once they are shifted from their houses to an alternate accommodation in a transit camp, they will not be able to get back to their permanent residence. An occupant, requesting anonymity, said, “There are several cases wherein residents who were shifted to transit camps were stuck there for decades. These residents were not rehabilitated to their redeveloped structures.”

In all, there are around 500 tenants —247 families and 253 commercial outlets— in these dilapidated structures. In its pre-monsoon survey report, 2017, MHADA has identified nine cess buildings as dilapidated and unfit for occupations. Out of these nine structures, six buildings are repeated in this year's dilapidated list. These nine structures are located in areas such as Colaba, Kazi Sayyed Street, Nagdevi Cross Lane, Masjid Street, Chandanwadi, Tardeo and Kala Chowki. The authorities have already issued notice to evacuate to these buildings.