Mumbai: Will they? Won't they? Everybody is asking these two questions as far as the Campa Cola society residents are concerned. Nobody knows whether the flat owners will hand over the keys and say goodbye once the Supreme Court deadline to vacate the flats ends at 5 pm on Thursday. Unlike the last time, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has not deployed its forces and demolition equipments outside the Campa Cola society in the Worli area of South Mumbai.
According to rules, the BMC has to float a tender for the demolition and it is not even possible during the monsoon. The demolition can happen only after September.
For this, about 90 flat owners have to vacate their flats and move out. So far, not a single flat owner has vacated his or her flat. They are hoping for a miracle. Some of them claim that the SC order has given an option to the Maharashtra State Government to save the building, if the state decides to adopt a humane approach. They are hoping that the Chief Minister of Maharashtra can make necessary amendments to the rules and save their dear home.
Just 10 per cent of the Floor Space Index (FSI) is extra and it is in violation of the rules. Campa Cola owners have agreed to surrender 10 per cent of the space. They still hope that the state government will handle it.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Monday said that the state government will not intervene in the Campa Cola building issue, but he is willing to consider any proposal provided it is in the legal framework and does not affect the Supreme Court order regarding the razing of the flats. "I am ready to consider any proposal which is within the legal framework and which does not affect the Supreme Court judgement. However, there is no such proposal in sight, but I am willing to consider it if there is one," Chavan said in a statement.
The BMC has asked about 90 flat owners (who have flats above 5th floor) to hand over the keys after 5 pm. But the BMC officials are not confident of getting even a single key.
The BMC officials they may not forcibly take away the keys from the flat owners. According to some officials they will inform the Supreme Court that the flat owners refused to hand over keys and it is contempt of the court. They will wait for the SC order to go ahead.
There is an eerie silence outside the society. Nobody is talking or saying anything about what might happen after 5 pm.
What is the issue?
- According to reports the flats were built by one of Mumbai's original underworld don's Yousuf Patel.
- The apex court took suo moto cognizance of the matter and passed an order after media reports on the demolition.
- The flats were sold at 1/3 of the market value.
- Architect says some of the owners were aware of the fact that it was illegal.
- Some others were fooled by the builders and some may have got forged documents.
- Residents felt that they can get the flats regularized later.
- Original architect's licence was cancelled by the BMC in 1984.
- An Ordinance can save the flats from demolition.
- The Maharashtra government is hesitant to promulgate an ordinance fearing similar demands from other illegal colonies.
Who is at fault?
- The builder, who built and sold the flats.
- The BMC, which registered flats.
- Some occupants who bought it even after they were aware of the illegality.
- The Maharashtra government which failed to act earlier.
What is next?
- The SC had extended the deadline till May 31, 2014.
- Residents continue to stay beyond May 31, 2014.
- If the government finds a way out, demolition can be stopped.
- The Maharashtra CM is under pressure to find a solution.
- Residents hope that the government will something to resolve the issue.
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