The Times of India          15.10.2013

Cracked building to be demolished, families of nearby chawls shifted too

THANE: The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has decided to demolish Suryadarshan building at Nitin junction that has developed cracks. However, TMC is yet to decide when.

As many as 84 families from Suryadarshan and Tejadeep buildings have been moved to rental houses belonging to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for the time being.

Around 450 residents are now living on fifth, seventh and eighth floors in rooms measuring 160 sq m.

The civic body has also shifted 16 families from nearby Vaity and Tanaji chawls as a precautionary measure. Civic sources said that there was no question of demolishing Tejadeep building as there was no problem with it. The building was vacated as a safety measure. The main concern of the families that have shifted to the MMRDA houses at Vartak Nagar was to get their belongings from Suryadarshan. On Sunday afternoon, the TMC allowed the families to take away their belongings, while being escorted by the Regional Disaster Management Cell between 3pm and 4pm.

A housewife, Sangita Adsule, from Suryadarshan, said that her children were having their exams and their books and uniforms were left behind in their apartment. "I have managed to send them to school somehow, but I hope they do well in the exams. They haven't been able to study at all."

A civic source said that CCTVs have been installed on the spot where cracks have developed. Readings are being taken on hourly basis to note down the tilt. Though it has been decided that the demolition will take place, the TMC is yet to decide when it can be undertaken.