Around 12,000 residents of 21 buildings have three months time period to vacate their houses which they have been residing for decades. The Bombay High Court on Wednesday has denied to grant an extension to the residents and asked them to furnish an undertaking before the court in a month, stating they continue to live in the dangerous buildings on their own will.
A division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Riyaz Chagla said, “We cannot grant you any further extension.” It has allowed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to forcibly vacate the tenants after expiry of the three month period, which ends on October 31.
The court has directed the government to consider on the priority basis if any redevelopment plan is submitted by any developer or tenants. The 21 buildings at GTB Nagar, Sion, have been declared a threat to the life residing in those very old buildings, the Bombay High Court gave them a week’s time to submit a time plan on when will they vacate the premises until then the BMC has been restrained from taking any coercive action.
Advocate Anand Jondhale appearing for the societies said, “We asked for a year’s time to ensure the smooth transition of all the residents since they have to make alternative arrangements before vacating the premises. This was not considered by the court.”
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Pradeep Nanbrajog of Vijay Punjab cooperative housing society, said, “We have nowhere to go. No alternative accommodation has been offered to us, nor any re-development plan. We will be forced to live on roads. At present we have no plan B, everyone is scared that we will have to relocate and start our lives fresh. We have to brace for difficult times ahead.”
Earlier, the civic body had issued a public notice in newspapers absolving itself of any responsibility on the occasion of an untoward incident or collapse of any of these buildings. Instead, it said the residents, who are unwilling to vacate the premises, would be responsible for it.
The societies had approached the HC seeking a redevelopment scheme before they vacate. However, the BMC claims that if the residents continue to stay there, it will be no less than an attempt to commit suicide.
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