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BMC starts demolition of BIT chawls in Mazgaon

On Wednesday, under the cover of around 300 policemen, around 60 civic workers as part of the demolition squad arrived at the site at 11.30am.

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BIT chawl residents argue with policemen to stop BMC officials from disconnecting water and power supply to their homes on Wednesday
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Heeding the Supreme Court (SC) order, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday started the demolition of three dilapidated civic body-owned buildings in Mazgaon.

Amidst screams, tears and abuses, civic workers initiated forceful eviction of around 200 families from the four-storeyed buildings — 14, 15 and 16 — which comprise the BIT Chawl or Mazgaon Co-operative Housing Society in Tadwadi. The area's 16 buildings, which house 1,000-plus families, were constructed in 1922 by the British.

On Wednesday, under the cover of around 300 policemen, around 60 civic workers as part of the demolition squad arrived at the site at 11.30am. The workers disconnected the underground pipelines, while officials from the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking snapped power supply to the buildings.

Six months ago, the BMC had issued notices to residents, asking them to vacate the structures that have been put in C1 category — highly dangerous and dilapidated buildings. Residents, however, challenged the notice and took the issue to the SC. The court, however, availed forceful eviction powers to the BMC if the residents did not vacate till June 5.

"They (residents) did not adhere to the deadline given by the SC. Thus, we have carried out this eviction. Water and power lines have already been disconnected. We will ensure that the demolition is initiated," said assistant municipal commissioner (E ward) Kishore Desai.

He added that this was BMC's third attempt to vacate the structures. "Rains are around the corner. We have to follow the SC orders," Desai said.

The BMC will be shifting the affected families of buildings 13 and 14 to a transit camp nearby. And the remaining 100-plus families will be shifted to a transit accommodation in Mahul. However, the residents had raised objections on been rehabilitated in Mahul citing zero medical facilities or schools in the area.

"It is one of the most polluted areas in the city. It is almost on the outskirts of Mumbai. The academic year has started, my children have already secured admission in a school in Mazgaon. How do you expect them to commute all the way from Mahul to Mazgaon?" questioned Nitin Gade from building no 15.

Responding to the question, BMC's executive engineer Deepak Dhumal said, "The residents had raised this issue in the SC as well. On this, the SC-appointed committee, after inspecting the transit camps in Mahul and the area, had approved them for occupancy."

Till 6pm, all occupants of buildings 14 and 15 had left their homes on their own, with BMC hammering away on the walls. Till the time of going to press, even occupants of building no 16 were reported to have started emptying their homes.

"The eviction-demolition will require three days. We hope to carry it out without any untoward incident," Dhumal said.

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