No water and power for those refusing to vacate: BMC

“Earlier,we could only issue notice ordering repairs to the BMC-owned buildings,but now we will be able to forcibly evacuate the tenants. If they do not agree to vacate the premises then we have been given the authority by the state government to cut their water and electricity supply,” said D M Phase,city engineer,BMC.

In a recent pre-monsoon meeting at the Mantralaya,the BMC was given permission to take drastic measures to ensure safety of those who live in highly dilapidated buildings,according to a BMC official. The civic administration has already begun issuing repair notices to such structures.

A senior BMC official said,“In many cases,we serve notices to the owners and tenants on priority basis to vacate the dilapidated structure or to carry out repairs on urgent basis. But usually there is a tough resistance from them.”

“At least now we will be able to ensure that the tenants living in municipal properties will vacate the buildings,” said Phase. According to officials,alternate accommodation in form of the PAP tenements will be provided to evacuated tenants. As soon as dilapidated building are evacuated,the administration will start the process of either demolishing or repairing them,said officials. In most cases the buildings will go for redevelopment as there is benefit of extra FSI,the officials said.