Mumbai: BMC Moves To Demolish Kailash Prabhat CHS Amidst Utility Cut-offs And Legal Battles

In Mumbai, residents of Kailash Prabhat CHS in BKC-Kurla are bracing for a looming crisis as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to demolish their buildings on July 18 and 19. This drastic measure comes after the BMC disconnected gas, electricity, and water supplies on Monday, forcing some residents to leave while others remain in uncertainty.

The civic body, citing safety concerns, categorized the housing society as a C1 (dangerous) structure, a classification disputed by the residents.

While 15 families had previously agreed to vacate by June 21 under BMC pressure, 60 families remained defiant, enduring a stark reality without essential utilities. Among them are elderly patients in critical condition.

The BMC's action unfolded between 12:45 pm and 1:30 pm on Monday, with warnings of potential arrests by the Vakola police if resistance persisted. Residents recounted how meters were forcefully removed to cut off water, followed by the disconnection of gas and electricity. In some instances, doors were forcibly opened, escalating tensions amid ongoing legal disputes over property measurements and usage classifications.

Residents are now coping under strained conditions, with ventilator-dependent patients relocated to nursing homes and others relying on external food sources and tanker-delivered water, amidst candlelit evenings. The spectre of imminent demolition looms, scheduled for July 18 and 19, as the BMC presses forward, met with heightened apprehension among those still occupying the vacated buildings.

Mehmood Ahmed, a resident, highlighted the plight of seniors left without elevator access due to the power cut, exacerbating health challenges. Mohammed Aziz, an 82-year-old facing renal failure, described the ordeal of being carried downstairs for medical treatments, underscoring the human impact of the unfolding crisis.

Legal challenges persist, with residents contesting the BMC's decision based on conflicting structural assessments, including reports suggesting the buildings are repairable. Despite a recent Supreme Court dismissal of their plea to halt demolitions, residents are mobilizing through legal avenues and seeking state government intervention.

As the July 18 and 19 demolition dates approach, tensions remain high, and the community braces for further upheaval amidst the ongoing legal and humanitarian challenges.

The saga, extensively covered by the Hindustan Times since June.