Mumbai: Kandivli locals’ nightmare building to be razed

A dilapidated structure in Kandivli West that has been posing a threat to locals and passersby for six years will finally be razed due to the intervention of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS Residents feared the building could cause an incident similar to the devastating Ghatkopar hoarding collapse which claimed several livesIn 2018 BMC declared the groundplusfourstorey Kunti Deep Society dangerous for occupants Accordingly residents vacated the building but the structure still stands on the plot as the developer was finding it difficult to raze the building due to an alleged unauthorised construction on the buildingrsquos premisesThe damaged section of the building which caved in partially on TuesdayBrihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC officials were asking the developer to raze the structure In fact a few months ago the latter had started the demolition process but the Kandivli police halted the drive as the owner of the structure on the societyrsquos premises which was declared unauthorised by the local civic office in 2014 had objected to the processmidday highlighted the matter on April 26 in its report lsquoSlum dweller stands in way of dilapidated buildingrsquos demolitionrsquo Former building residents who have been living elsewhere on rent had expected to reenter their new homes within four to five years However the structure is yet to be pulled downFresh panicOn Tuesday due to the first spells of rain of the season a portion of the building started caving in spreading panic among residents ldquoThe building is fragile If it were to fall because of heavy rainfall or gusty winds it could prove fatal like the Ghatkopar hoarding case where innocent people lost their lives for no fault of their ownrdquo said Dinesh Salvi an MNS leader from Kandivli Taking serious note of the situation the leader stepped in to resolve the issue Salvi the partyrsquos Charkop Vidhan Sabha unit head along with the members of the society approached the civic bodyrsquos R South ward officialsMNS leader Dinesh Salvi second from left and society members with the letter from the BMCThe delegation demanded that BMC should serve a notice to the occupier and owner of the structure who is impeding demolition attempts ldquoThe court will decide the fate of the structure But till then if a mishap occurs who will be held responsible The BMC should issue a letter to the developer asking him to demolish the dilapidated building It should also send a notice to the person objecting to the process and mark a copy to the police station It is the BMC and policersquos duty to ensure that the structure in question is vacant when the dilapidated building is pulled down The motive behind this demand is to avoid any kind of damage or injury to human life during the demolition processrdquo Salvi saidBackground of caseIn 2018 the BMC categorised Kunti Deep Society as C1 dilapidated and dangerous for habitatneeds to be immediately vacated The building was constructed in 1981 Following the discontinuation of power supply and water connections 11 flat owners and four shop owners vacated the premises and shifted to rented accommodation in the same vicinity with the hope that they would reenter their own homes in the next three to five years But even in 2024 the structure tagged as dangerous still stands on the plot as it cannot be pulled down unless the slum structure adjacent to it is vacated or demolishedlsquoThank you middayrsquoAfter receiving the letter from the BMC asking the builder to go ahead with the demolition process Pravin Dave chairman of the society and other members were overwhelmed with the development ldquoWe offer our thanks to BMC officials and MNS especially Salvi for finding a resolution to the longpending issuerdquo Dave said The members of the society expressed gratitude towards this newspaper in a message that read ldquoWithout support from midday this fight would have not reached its logical endrdquoNo response from BMCLalit Talekar assistant municipal commissioner R South ward did not respond to calls But responding to a text message query the ward officer said ldquoMr Jagtap the designated officer concerned is taking action in this caserdquo