The Times of India             04.11.2013

BMC to invite demolition tender afresh

MUMBAI: The BMC will invite a tender afresh for the demolition of the 35 illegal floors in Worli's Campa Cola compound. The Supreme Court's deadline for the work to start is November 11.

The standing committee on October 25 rejected the proposal to appoint a contractor on "humanitarian grounds". The stated reason was that the Rs 2.8 crore bid of the JV between Landmark Corporation and Keman Enterprises was much higher than the BMC's estimate.

"The JV can apply with lower rates. It is not disqualified," said additional municipal commissioner Mohan Adtani. Demolition preliminaries (disconnection of utilities like electricity and water) will start on the designated day by the BMC's own team, which will also remove internal walls, he said. "The role of the contractor, who will demolish load-bearing structures, will be later."

Meanwhile, residents living on the legal floors of the compound's buildings are worried about what they call the BMC's ambiguous demolition plans.

"What is the guarantee that the structure remaining after demolition will be safe and habitable?" asked Rohit Malhotra, a legal resident. "What if the buildings become uninhabitable due to noise from equipment and pollution? Who will take care of senior citizens, women and children? Are they taking measures to ensure that no damage is done to the legal floors?"

Another fear is whether the legal residents have to vacate their flats during the demolition. "How does the BMC plan to withdraw from the illegal floors facilities like lift and water connection without affecting the legal residents?" asked another legal resident.

The residents have approached the Federation of Apartment Owners, Delhi, which has urged the President to intervene and stall the demolition.