VOTERS' CAUSE - NGO to parties: Back residents of dilapidated bldgs





In the near future, at least three lakh families will be rendered homeless when old and dilapidated buildings in the suburbs are declared dangerous and then demolished.

NGO Janhit Manch has taken up the cause of these families as there is no state policy nor any legal provision to provide them with alternate accommodation or ensure they get a new flat.

The NGO has written to all political parties in Mumbai to address this issue in their political campaign for the assembly election.

"More than 7,000 families will be or are already dishoused as there is no provision of temporary shelter under any law and no guarantee of permanent home in future," said Utsal Karani, secretary , Janhit Manch.

Karani said in 1998 Afzalpurkar Committee set up to give recommendations for re pairs and reconstruction of dilapidated buildings in the suburbs and extended suburbs of Mumbai estimated that there are 19,000 dilapidated buildings in the suburbs.

"At an average of 15 families per building, it works out to three lakh families that will be affected," he said.

So far, 580 buildings have been declared as C1, or dangerous, across Mumbai, including private, both tenanted and cooperative housing societies, and those owned by BMC, Mhada and Railways, among others.Out of these, approximately 97 buildings have been declared as dangerous in the island city .And of these, 50 are owned by the BMC and other authorities.Most of the island city buildings are tenanted cessed buildings (around 47) and are protected under Mhada Act for repairs as well as reconstruction. In case of suburbs, 450 buildings are declared dangerous, of which 70 are owned by the BMC and other authorities.The remaining 380 are private buildings. Almost 90% of these buildings are non-cessed tenanted buildings that have no protection at all of any schemes under the Mhada Act andor the civic Development Control Regulations, said Karani.

"Around 125 buildings in the suburbs have been demolished. Most of the tenants belong to the low-middle-income group and are scattered across the suburbs. Since the law does not provide any protection, they are left at the mercy of landlords and builders,'' he said.

Karani further said since candidates are moving around seeking votes, this is the best time to highlight the gargantuan humanitarian problem.