Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Municipal Corporation has served notices on the residents of Janata Colony, Aishbagh to vacate the dilapidated quarters for their safety.
Around 40-55 families residing in these EWS quarters at ward No 40, despite being aware of the dangers of living in the rickety building, are risking their lives and are not ready to move with bags and baggage as they do not have any other place to go. The municipal authorities too have not made any alternate arrangement for these families. Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to demolish the dilapidated structure to avert any untoward incident during rains, however, seeing no one budging despite repeated orders to vacate the quarters, the authorities have finally issued evacuation notice. BMC has even placed a notice board asking the residents to vacate the shaky structures.
The quarters, constructed around 40 years ago, have become extremely vulnerable and susceptible to collapse anytime. According to the residents, there are a total of 600 quarters in the colony. The quarters were initially occupied by government employees but around a decade ago. Sources said that the government employees vacated the houses a decade ago and some of these quarters were rented out. Talking to Free Press, some of the residents narrated their plight and hardships they are facing in the locality.
Feroz Khan said," We have approached the municipal corporation officials and collector several times but got no positive response to that," said Feroz Khan. There are no street lights in the area, which has resulted in many accidents in the past, he added.
Echoing the same views, Shabana, said that the residents have brought to the notice of the civic body authorities a number of times, but all out pleas fell on deaf ears. He went on to allege that municipal corporation officials even misbehaved with her several times." The threat and fear of monsoon haunts even before its arrival," said Shabana, adding that the building roof condition has deteriorated and it is worsening with each passing year, dripping water from ceiling and walls are the problems the residents face every monsoon.
Md. Azhar, a resident, said that ‘PM Awas Yojana’ has failed to serve the purpose it was launched for the beneficiaries. "The area of each quarter is 100 sqft, and recovering taxes from its residents is illegal, but the people residing in these Janta quarters are compelled to pay the taxes''. Municipal Corporation had even threatened to cut water connections several times, which has made the residents helpless, said Azhar.
On being contacted, a few municipal authorities tried to parry the questions, while some were too busy to answer it.
Contributed by Vivek Kumar Singh
