We're living in constant fear of roof collapse says 42-year-old Pranali Pophale

For 42-year-old Pranali Pophale, the fear of a roof collapse springs up every time a building comes crashing down in the city.“Ours is a poorly maintained 100-year-old structure with cracking walls and loose tiles in some places,” said Pophale, a resident of New Haji Kasam Chawl on BA Road in Lalbaug.Though Pophale has been living in her 150 sq ft dwelling with her family of four for the past 10 years, they are counting the day when they will finally move out of their old dwelling.“There is a need to redevelop this place. It is not habitable any more. There is water seepage. The only thing that has not happened is the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) putting up a notice,” she added. While the building being rickety is one thing, the other reason why the Pophales desperately look forward to have a redevelopment of their society is that it can give them a better deal. “The space in the house is very little for the four of us and there is no separate toilet. Water problems are perennial as compared with some of the people who have moved out after redevelopment. The biggest thing will be that we will be the owners of our property,” she added.