The Indian Express              18.06.2013

60% of civic dilapidated buildings vacated: BMC

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.