Residents of legal flats chip in, as many say they are too old to afford even a flat on rent and will stay on till they are physically removed
Karan Sethia
Residents of the Campa Cola buildings are slowly moving out of the apartments dubbed illegal by the court and the civic body and moving in with friends and relatives. However, even on Saturday, a few residents said they neither had the money to rent a flat nor any relatives who could accommodate so many of them. These residents continue to stay in apartments where power and water lines have been disconnected.
Some residents like Karan Sethia (above) continue to stay in apartments where power and water lines have been disconnected. Pic/ Emmanual Karbhari
Residents of the legal floors were seen helping them survive by providing them food and water and allowing them access to their flats.Others, who have moved out to rented accommodation nearby, are also visiting their fellow sufferers. Many residents who do not have funds to rent a flat, were seen using battery-operated lights to enter their houses after sunset.
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Also read: BMC pulls the plug on utilities of Campa Cola flats
A few lucky flat owners whose gas connection has not yet been cut as they use cooking gas cylinders, are helping the others. Still, others are using candles to keep away the darkness. The civic body has so far disconnected power, water and gas of 90 illegal flats in the Campa Cola compound.
Also read: Campa Cola demolition - Tired, residents open gates to the BMC
Raju Mohta (62), a senior resident said, “Many of us are staying on here. We are old and cannot take up a job to afford a house again. I stay here with my husband who is 70. My daughters are married in the USA and UK. We cannot go there suddenly. We will stay in our house even if there is no electricity. We have our society washroom where we take a bath.”
Shweta Hirawat, a resident of Orchid apartment, said, “My husband brought this house three years ago on loan, which we are still paying to ICICI bank. It is difficult to search for a new shelter. All women from Orchid apartment are planning to sleep in the office of our building where we have arranged fans and water. Residents of legal floors provide us with breakfast and necessary things.”
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