Kamatipura residents are still in possession of homes, VMC tells HC

Advocate Mahmood Madni, who is representing the Kamatipura residents said, “The HC has asked us to bring the documents to show that we have given up possession of Kisanwadi homes. We will do so in the next hearing. The VMC contended that it cannot be held in contempt as the delay in allotment of Kalali homes is because the construction is incomplete.” According to the VMC affidavit, the delay in constructing the Kalali JnNURM homes occurred as the civic body had terminated the work order of the previous contractor, Jain Infra Projects, for slow pace of work. The VMC said the construction of about 3,000 homes in Kalali were commissioned in January 2015 and are still “incomplete”, while about 1,000 ready units are meant for displaced residents of Altadara-Kalali demolitions who are awaiting rehabilitation.

Vijay Vairagi, Legal Advisor, VMC, said, “We have stated that there can be no case of contempt against the civic body. The petitioners returned the homes to the VMC in June 2014, but the possession is still in their name. We have submitted to the HC that we have stated (in the October 2014 affidavit) we would allot homes to the families in Kalali once the construction is complete, but we have not laid down any time frame for the same. About 3,000 homes in Kalali are still under construction.”