A strange situation is prevailing with regard to the redevelopment of Kapol Niwas, Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, Matunga (East). While the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) is insisting that the building, which is occupying a prime location, is in the C1 category (dangerous condition) and needs to be demolished immediately, the residents have produced a structural auditor's report which says the building is in C2 category, which means that it is in a repairable condition.
The civic body is relying on the structural audit report of UD Chande LLP. However, the residents of the Society are finding it odd that while the Chande report is dated August 31, 2024, the BMC notice citing this report is dated August 9, 2024. ``How can the F/north ward office issue notice before the Chande report was submitted?" a resident Ashish Mehta asked. Citing MCGM documents it is maintained that UD Chande is not in its approved list of structural auditors.
The residents then got a structural report done by the firm of Rushab Karnavat which classified the building in the C2 category, which means that it was repairable with part demolition. The residents submitted this report to the F/North ward office. Despite that a team from the ward office led by assistant municipal commissioner Nitin Shukla came to the building recently to cut water and electricity supply even though several residents were occupying the building, along with their children. The residents, who had won a court case also, refused to vacate the premises.
Finally they gave a written undertaking to Shukla on March 28, seeking ten days' time to start repair work. They have also stated that they would be solely responsible for any mishap which may take place during the repair work. Shukla was not available for comment.
