The Indian Express 18.06.2013
60% of civic dilapidated buildings vacated: BMC
buildings owned by the civic body had moved to transit accomodations.
The corporation had set a deadline of June 15 for the purpose.
To force eviction, the civic body has cut water and electricity
supply to all but two of the remaining “highly-dilapidated” structures.
“We have vacated 50-55 of the 80-odd BMC buildings declared
highly-dilapidated,” said additional municipal commissioner Aseem Gupta.
BMC cannot force-evict residents of private buildings. “We have
sent notices and educated residents of private buildings. Since many of
these residents are fighting legal battles over the old rent system, it
is even more difficult to push them out,” Gupta said.
This group includes the 236 protesting families of 11 BMC
buildings in Kanjarwada, Byculla, who stopped an eviction drive
Saturday.
In Tardeo and M-East ward, the corporation has not disconnected
electricity and water supply. In Tardeo, the BMC transit accommodation
is in poor condition.
“The residents and BMC were involved in a battle in Bombay High
Court (HC) for years after we served them a notice. In that time, the
building became dilapidated. We are carrying out repairs and it should
be ready for habitation by month-end. In the interim, HC has ruled that
the corporation is not responsible for any mishap if residents continue
to live in the dilapidated Tardeo structure,” said Gupta.
Considering heavy rain and water-logging in M-East ward, BMC has
allowed residents to continue in dilapidated structures for a few days.
“We have not yet cut connections here as there is heavy
water-logging in the area. The residents have agreed to move out when
there is a dry spell,” said Gupta.
