Residents plan to appeal to Chavan

MUMBAI: The Supreme Court’s extension of deadline by another 41 days gives residents of the 96 illegal flats of Campa Cola complex that are scheduled to be demolished a breather, and resident said they would use this time to try and meet chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and convince him to regularise their flats.

“We have understood from our lawyer that the CM has the power to allow regularisation of homes. We will find out more details and try to convince him as it could be our last chance to save the flats,” said Rohit Malhotra, spokesperson for Campa Cola complex residents.

This is the second time that residents have got an extension to vacate their flats.

In February, the apex court had ruled that the civic body should demolish the 35 illegal floors in the seven buildings in the complex.

However, in a review petition hearing in May, residents were given an extension of five months, which ends on October 2.

This time, the court has extended the deadline on the condition that residents would not approach any court on the matter again.

Mehnaz Irani, one of the residents, said: “It is better to move out right now than go through this for another month. I have faced enough trauma and I have lost all hope of saving our flat.”

Nandini Mehta, a resident of Midtown Apartment, agrees. “We hoped the Supreme Court would allow us to regularise our flats, but our last chance has been exhausted,” she said.

After the SC order, some residents unloaded the trucks carrying their belongings. “We will get at least another month to live in the house to which are attached so many memories,” said a resident, who did not wish to be named.

“We will abide by SC’S decision to give them additional time to vacate the building. But once the time expires, we will initiate demolition,” said additional municipal commissioner Mohan Adtani, adding that the civic body would initiate demolition proceedings after November 11 and make the houses inhabitable.