Pereirawadi’s fate will be known in six weeks

The Bombay High Court (HC) on Thursday directed state government’s high-powered committee (HPC) to decide the matter concerning the redevelopment of Bandra’s Pereirawadi under a slum rehabilitation scheme within six weeks.

A letter written by the residents of Pereirawadi to the HC was converted into a suo motu PIL.

Residents had objected to the demolition of their houses and had filed a complaint alleging fraud by the developer, which is pending with the HPC.

Government pleader DA Nalawade informed the court that CM Vilasrao Deshmukh had ordered a stay on the eviction of residents and demolition of structures on
Wednesday.

Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice AP Deshpande said that the stay would continue till the complaint was decided by the HPC. So far, 69 of the 93 structures have been demolished by the developer.

The court also directed the government to ensure that the residents whose houses had been demolished are provided with alternative accommodation. If not the developer should give them  rental allowance, the court said.
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