The BMC, on Wednesday, terminated gas supply to 51 of the 90 illegal flats in the Campa Cola compound in Worli. On Tuesday, it had terminated electricity supply to all flats as part of its phase I demolition plan. The civic body is yet to disconnect water supply to 50 flats.
"We managed to complete disconnecting of piped gas connections, a relatively risky job. The phase I action is likely to be completed by Thursday. The flats have become inhabitable now," assistant municipal commissioner Keshav Ubale said.
Fourteen teams had been deployed for the job, 4 each from Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), and 6 from Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL).
Civic officials, meanwhile, reiterated that the decision regarding the next phase of demolition was yet to be made.
Demolition first
Civic authorities said BMC would have to complete demolition of all illegal flats to ensure it obeyed Supreme Court (SC) order. Any proposal on the residents' part to figure out a solution, regularize or consider redevelopment of the buildings, would be considered post completion of the demolition drive, BMC said.
The apex court had in February last year ordered demolition of unauthorized flats across seven buildings due to FSI violations.
"Even though BMC has completed phase I action, the drive is not over. As per the SC order, we will have to demolish all flats in question. Any proposal on finding a way out or redevelopment will be considered only after that. We cannot go against the SC order," a senior civic official.
He added that the corporation had not, till Wednesday evening, received any order from the state govt regarding regularizing the flats. "We have no instructions. We will complete phase I soon. Demolition of flats will be undertaken later," the official concluded.
Meanwhile, the affected residents continue to depend on neighbours for water, etc. Said Nandini Mehta, one of them: "I sleep in my house without electricity or water. There is not even a fan. I have to keep the windows open to let air in. I go to the neighbours for water. It's all so difficult."
These residents still insist that there is sufficient floor space index (FSI) to regularise their flats. "When our flats can be regularised, why demolish them at all?" Mehta asked.
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