Dire Dilemma: Kailash Parbat Residents Face Eviction Amidst Uncertain Future and Abandoned Promises
Dire Dilemma: Kailash Parbat Residents Face Eviction Amidst Uncertain Future and Abandoned Promises
Some residents even mention thoughts of suicide, emphasising the vulnerability of elderly individuals on ventilators and numerous children within the community.
13th June 2024
The BMC announced the compulsory evacuation of all 89 families residing in Kailash Parbat, with police indicating that they will take action against any resistance during the eviction process. This marks the conclusion of a protracted struggle against demolition efforts, involving five structural assessments and numerous legal battles.
Mehmood Ahmed, a resident of the community, informed Hindustan Times that in August 2020, the MMRDA initially categorised the building as requiring significant repairs under C(2b) classification due to its proximity to the Metro and SCLR construction sites.
As demolition approaches and the rainy season sets in, residents are gripped by panic. Parvez Majeed, another resident, expressed concerns over the BMC’s announcement of forcible eviction and water supply disconnection without any provision for alternative housing or rent assistance. The builder’s offer of potential monthly rent in the event of the building being demolished offers little reassurance, leaving residents facing the prospect of homelessness, particularly concerning for elderly and young residents.
Majeed alleges that builders, in collusion with H East ward authorities, are orchestrating grand redevelopment schemes by manipulating the classification of old and deteriorating buildings as C1 status, thereby initiating evictions. He claims that four sturdy and structurally sound buildings have been forcibly demolished under the C1 category within a span of two years in the H East ward.
The residents of Kailash Parbat have conducted five structural audits since 2021 to determine the building’s condition. Due to conflicting findings, the Bombay High Court appointed a technical advisory committee (TAC), which subsequently enlisted the expertise of IIT Bombay for a conclusive assessment.
Based on IIT Bombay’s report, the TAC issued a ruling on 16th January this year, categorising the building under the C1 classification, according to him.
As the approach of 19th June looms nearer, female residents express their determination to lead the resistance against the impending demolition. In May, they successfully thwarted BMC’s efforts to post eviction notices on the building. Some residents even mention thoughts of suicide, emphasising the vulnerability of elderly individuals on ventilators and numerous children within the community. They assert their demand for alternative accommodation if eviction is necessary, questioning the BMC’s concern for the lives of passersby compared to their own safety.
Ahmed reflects on the significance of their homes, which represent their entire investment, inherited from previous generations. Situated adjacent to BKC, these 500 sq. ft flats hold considerable value, yet residents feel neglected, receiving insufficient FSI offers for redevelopment. They express openness to redevelopment but stress the importance of engaging with a reputable developer.
Swapnaja Kshirsagar, the assistant commissioner of H East ward, stated that originally there were 132 families in Kailash Parbat society, with only a few having vacated so far. She mentioned that area measurements are being conducted presently, and after Eid next week, the eviction process will commence with police protection. Kshirsagar clarified that it’s not the BMC’s responsibility to intervene in this matter, emphasising that if residents choose to stay, any consequences would be attributed to the BMC.
She highlighted the dilapidated state of the building, citing the report submitted by IIT Bombay to the TAC, which was subsequently presented in the high court. Additionally, she pointed out ongoing infrastructure work nearby, raising concerns about potential further impacts on the structural stability of the buildings. Kshirsagar emphasised that residents are staying at their own risk.
Despite the BMC’s efforts to raise awareness among residents about the hazards of residing in a deteriorating building, their helplessness is undeniable. Shahrukh Mohammed Shaikh, a former resident who relocated to Belapur four months ago due to safety concerns, was compelled to return to Kailash Parbat after the builder refused to pay the promised rent. However, with the society’s chairman and secretary already having moved out and the builder inaccessible, residents find themselves without any recourse or support.
