Residents move SC but BMC raring to go
Campa cola compound Apex court to hear special leave petition around 2 pm today.
Campa cola compound Apex court to hear special leave petition around 2 pm today.
While residents of 143 illegal flats in Worli’s Campa Cola compound filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) before Supreme Court Wednesday,civic officials said demolition will begin as planned unless they are clearly directed by apex court not to proceed. Residents are hoping for a reprieve from the Supreme Court when the SLP comes up for hearing around 2 pm Thursday.
“We have to receive a clear official order from the Supreme Court else we will go on with the demolitions. Merely filing an SLP in the SC will not do,” Additional Municipal Commissioner (Island City) Mohan Adtani said.
Residents,however,are pinning their hopes on the SLP. “We have written to the state government,BMC and Mumbai police informing them of the SLP hearing. We are hoping the authorities will give us time until then to hear what the apex court has to say,” said Neeta Mehta,a member of the Campa Cola Residents Association.
The demolition is slated to begin at 11 am Thursday. “we will provide full police protection for the demolition process. We have not received any communication from BMC saying otherwise,” said inspector Sudhir Madhik of Worli police station.
A detailed plan for the demolitions has already been drawn up. Around 70 to 80 civic officials,200 civic workers and 120 police personnel will comprise the demolition team.
According to the Adtani,the demolition squad will begin the process by disconnecting gas and electricity connections to the houses. They will use vibrators and diamond-cutter technology to remove slabs. The first phase will involve taking down the floors’ internal walls,the second will break down the slabs,and the final stage will be plucking pillars and beams.
Estimated to cost roughly Rs 2.5 crore,the demolition will be undertaken in three phases over six months. “The charges for the demolition will be borne by the developers and occupants jointly,” Adtani said.
Supreme Court on February 27 ordered the demolition of illegal floors on seven buildings — Midtown,Esha Ekta Apartments,Shubh Apartments,Patel Apartments (two buildings),B Y Apartments and Orchid. While builders were granted permission for constructing ground-plus-five floors buildings,Midtown went up to 20 floors,Orchid to 17,Esha Ekta to eight,Shubh to seven and BY and Patel to six floors each.
After BMC served the demolition notices,the society members launched Save Campa Cola campaign,saying the action would render them homeless.
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