With the high court (HC) rejecting Monday their application for grant of a stay on proposed demolition of unauthorised flats,140 families residing in seven buildings at Campa Cola Compound in Worli have no choice but to wait and watch. The demolition is to begin Thursday,after BMC delayed it by three days citing a public holiday and lack of police protection. We are running from pillar to post,approaching everyone to help us legally sort out the matter. HC has said our appeal is premature,we are wondering what would be the right time to approach it for a stay considering that our houses are to be demolished in two days, said Nandini Mehta,a resident and member of the Save Campa Cola campaign. For 45-year-old Orchid Apartments resident Mira Motiani,the only support is her sister. I am a single parent and dont know where to go if they come to demolish my house. The house was bought by my husband with his life savings. While some residents have packed important belongings,others are staying put. I have spent 22 years in this house and have nowhere to go. The only option is to sit in my house come what may, said Sunanda Verma,a mother of two teenage boys. Senior citizens are hoping doctor certificates stating ill health will get them some respite. Radha Sitaram (80),who suffers from high blood pressure,cardiac trouble,osteoporosis and asthma is among such hopefuls. Suresh Sancheti has sent his aged mother to a relatives house as he prepares to face the demolition. When BMC officials come they will find me sitting in my house. There is no other place for us to go. I am hoping everyone supports us and the administration is unable to carry out the demolition, he said. With all legal documents to prove they occupy the illegal flats,residents are questioning the system. We have a valid voter identity card stating our address,property tax bills and Aadhaar cards stating our flat numbers. Why have the authorities woken up now? For all these years no one stopped us from paying bills or getting identification cards, said Divya of Orchid Apartments. The Supreme Court order does not mention a time frame for demolition,why the hurry? said Nandini.
