Mumbai | From 2 km walks to 180 km commutes: Chira Bazaar building collapse survivors’ daily struggle

A month on, Chunniwala residents say MHADA delays have left them travelling for hours, scattered, exhausted and broke; with it becoming increasingly difficult to live in neighbours’ cramped homes, several families have shifted to relatives staying far away

Mumbai: Red tape pushes Chira Bazaar residents into 180-km commute

Some of the homeless residents at the MHADA office in Dadar. Pic/By Special Arrangement

Over a month after the Chunniwala building collapse in Chira Bazaar, displaced residents say MHADA’s bureaucratic delays have pushed them into a nightmare — scattered across distant suburbs, drained of savings, and forced into gruelling daily commutes of nearly 180 km just to keep life going. “Our houses crumbled on August 17. Today is September 19. All we’ve been given are dates after dates to get the keys to temporary accommodation. Are we asking for something we are not entitled to?” asked Kamlesh Mayekar, one of the displaced residents.

Forced to scatter

With it becoming increasingly difficult to live in neighbours’ cramped homes, several families have shifted to relatives staying far away. “Our neighbours sheltered us for weeks, but their houses are also small and they have their own routines. Since 10 days, we’ve been living in my niece’s home in Vasai. I am 63, with children aged 11 and 13. Their school and tuition are near Chira Bazar. Every morning we catch a 5.30 am train to get there, and return only after 6.30 pm. It’s exhausting,” said Hiraji Deo.

Sanjeevani Soshte with her youngest son at her PG

While his niece’s home is a 20-minute drive (approximately 5 km) to Vasai station in the morning, the return journey takes 35–40 minutes in traffic. Earlier, the children’s school was barely a 15-minute walk (approximately 2 km) from their Chira Bazar home. Some residents, especially those who lived alone in the dilapidated Chunniwala building, have been forced into paying for PGs and hostels. “I’m paying Rs 800 per day at a PG in Grant Road. Getting even that was tough since I am the sole breadwinner with three sons. I earn around Rs 40,000 a month.

Chunniwala Building at Chira Bazar that collapsed last month. File pic/Ashish Raje

My second and youngest son has a speech problem. They both used to run a vadapav stall under our Chira Bazar building. But now even that has shut down because of the building collapse. My savings are running out, and if we don’t get a house soon, I’ll be left with nothing for emergencies. My eldest son has just joined a developer. But he has been told that he would just earn Rs 10,000 and that too he will start getting from next month,” said 56-year-old Sanjeevani Soshte.

Officials pass the buck

At the MHADA head office, officials said the paperwork had already been processed. “We have completed the online process. Now it’s up to the outward department to ensure the files reach the Dadar MHADA office,” said a senior official. But at the Dadar office, senior officer Rupesh Shelatkar told mid-day: “We haven’t received any hard copies of the orders yet. The orders were uploaded online only on Friday afternoon. Once we get the papers in hand, there will be no delay from our side.”