Unfazed by SC directive,BMC vows to raze Campa Cola flats

Adtani said the demolition of illegal flats is scheduled to start by October 4. “We are in the process of awarding the tender and the company may take a couple of days to begin the work. Meanwhile,workers can start dismantling the electricity and water connections to the illegal flats,” he added.

Following an SC verdict in February,BMC had issued a 48-hour demolition notice to the 35 unauthorised floors. Days before the demolition,residents approached the Supreme Court asking for regularisation of the flats. While their request was quashed,residents were granted time till October to vacate the flats. They were ordered to file affidavit undertakings stating the same.

Last week,residents of the compound filed a special leave petition in the SC seeking permission to approach the BMC to apply for regularisation of about 67,000 sq ft,which are unauthorized but approvable under the permissible Floor Space Index (FSI). Following this,they were allowed to approach BMC for regularisation.

Adtani said,“The residents have withdrawn their petition from the apex court. As BMC is the concerned authority,it was ordered that the residents approach us. While they can now apply to the municipal commissioner and DP department for regularisation,we will carry on with our demolition of the illegal flats.”

Seven highrise buildings were constructed at the compound between 1981 and 1989. Illegal floors of Midtown Apartments,Esha Ekta Apartments,Shubh Apartments,Patel Apartments (two buildings),B Y Apartments and Orchid Apartments comprise 140 flats.