There was debris all around as police vans and JCBs stood watching locals from Khar gaothan, who were sitting discussing what to do next. Anita Pinto from the 150-year-old Fernandes chawl in Old Khar said, “Looks like an earthquake has destroyed our lives. Look at the rubble all around, it looks that way too. We have all being living here for more than 80 years, and now because of the demolition we have been thrown on the road. Last night, we slept in the park nearby, our children have been sent to our relatives’ houses.”

Anita Pinto (left), Magdalene Lobo (centre) and Sakira Patel (third from right) with other residents. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi