Campa Cola razing: BMC seeks fresh bids

Demolition of illegal floors of seven buildings in Worli’s Campa Cola Compound has been delayed again, thanks to ‘faulty’ tender conditions. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has invited tenders to raze the illegal portions for the third time.

The delay, however, doesn’t bring relief to occupants of illegal floors as they have to obey the Supreme Court deadline and vacate their homes by October 2.

When BMC invited demolition tenders the first time, it received one response. The second time, only two companies showed interest.

“The problem was with the tender conditions. The first two times tenders were invited, those firms with experience of bringing down government buildings could bid,” said a senior civic official, adding that the logic behind this was incomprehensible.

“Demolition is demolition for any building. So, we’ve asked to remove that condition now,” said the official.

Razing illegal structures at the compound is considered a challenge for the civic body. The BMC has to keep intact first five floors of the seven buildings and demolish the upper illegal structures.

The apex court had in February this year ordered demolition of unauthorised flats due to FSI violation. Subsequently, BMC served 48-hour evacuation notice to occupants of 99 illegal flats.

The residents have moved Supreme Court, which on May 2, gave them a five-month breather to evacuate. The residents’ review petition is yet to be heard.