MUMBAI, May 24: Time for 15 families at a Vikhroli transit camp stopped some 20 years ago. The families, former residents of Isfani Buildings no 120 and 122, Mody Street, Fort, were bundled off to a Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) transit camp in 1978 after the buildings were declared unsafe. Almost a generation later, the families are yet to get their reconstructed homes, and the sprawling plot at Fort, measuring 246.32 square metres, has been overrun by encroachers.Many of the original residents have died since, and with the MHADA staying silent, those alive have little hope. ``We have been trying to persuade the state government and MHADA to start the reconstruction work, but there has been absolutely no response from them,'' says Baba Shaikh, secretary of the Isfani Building Tenants' Association. Shaikh was 15 when they moved to the Vikhroli transit camp. ``Now, we have lost all hope,'' he adds, pointing to a pile of papers - his correspondence with MHADA since 1978. NeitherMHADA officers nor anybody from the Mumbai Repair and Reconstruction Board was available for comment despite repeated attempts.The residents had hoped that the promises made by the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance to expedite MHADA's pending works would deliver them their homes. The first sign of hope flickered when, in 1995, the government approved plans for reconstructing the buildings. The state government even published a notification in the official gazette dated October 23, 1997, regarding the acquisition of the property. This was followed by Labour minister Shabir Shakih's letter to MHADA directing it to start the reconstruction work. Another letter was written by Sureshdada Jain in September, 1997, promising his personal intervention and seeking details of the matter from then MHADA vice-president within 15 days. But, till date, not a brick has moved.The buildings were declared unsafe by MHADA after one of them collapsed partially in 1977. After the residents were moved to Vikhroli, a reconstructionplan was prepared. Thwarting all efforts of private parties, MHADA then acquired the buildings and later demolished them. But after that, MHADA did little to develop the property, leaving it open to land sharks. The plot has since been allegedly sold by the original owner Isfani to one Hanif Kapadia, and the plot has been encroached by shops and other establishments.``The government, chasing impossible schemes like the Slum Redevelopment Scheme, has completely forgotten thousands of people like us who are living in appaling conditions at transit camps in remote parts of the city,'' said Shaikh. The transit camp building no 183, Kannamwar Nagar No 2, which they have been passing off as home for 20 years, has developed gaping cracks. ``Years back, MHADA and BMC staff would periodically inspect the buildings. But for the last 10 years, we have not seen a single official or sweeper around,'' added Shaikh.Shaikh had filed a complaint with the Lok Ayukta in January, 1997. But, the response here too wasclassic bureaucratese - the matter is ``pending.''
