Safe or unsafe: Wait gets longer for Lloyds residents

An expert team from IIT-Bombay appointed to determine the structural health of the Lloyds Estate building in Wadala has sought more time to submit its report. The committee had been formed after the compound of Lloyds, adjacent to the construction site of Dosti Realty, caved in, burying eight cars in the debris on June 25.

The Bombay High court last week had asked the experts to submit the structural audit report after the residents of Dosti Acres raised concerns that their lives were at risk as Lloyds Estate, Dosti Blossom and Daffodils had developed cracks. "However, the experts sought time to submit their report and the next hearing is scheduled on July 12", said A Kamdar, a committee member of Lloyds Estate.

The residents have accused the developer of Dosti Realty builder and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation of negligence.

Kamdar added, "We now have to wait till July 12 when the experts will submit their report. Only then, we will come to know if our buildings are safe. The incident has also caused loss of vehicles. Although the structural stability of our building is most important, the residents will also demand compensation for their losses."

The affected residents want the builder to pay for the vehicles crushed under the debris after the cave-in. Of the 8 cars, the fire brigade could not remove one car stuck deep inside the rubble as it would have triggered more landslide.