Power, gas supply to illegal apartments in Campa Cola compound cut

MUMBAI: The municipal corporation began disconnecting the utilities to the illegal apartments in Campa Cola compound on Monday, more than a year after it first served eviction notices on their occupants.

Teams of BMC, BEST and Mahanagar Gas reached the Worli compound at 11.30am and, through the day, disconnected 55 electricity meters, 15 gas and 3 water connections. The civic body means to cut off the supplies to the 96 unauthorized flats in another two days and submit a compliance report before the Supreme Court this week. It is hopeful that the apex court will guide it on the future course of action.

Deputy municipal commissioner Anand Waghralkar said the compliance report will list the steps the BMC has taken so far to carry out the SC’s orders on the demolition of the illegal flats. Enclosed with it will be the video footage of the residents’ opposition to municipal action last week, he added.

For three days last week, Campa Cola residents had barricaded the gates of the compound and not allowed in civic officials. They finally relented on Sunday evening after a meeting with chief minister Prithviraj Chavan. Still, praying for reprieve, they have reportedly submitted a “mercy petition” to the President.

The flattening of the illegal apartments in Campa Cola compound’s seven buildings was first directed by the Supreme Court in February 2013. Two months later, the BMC had issued eviction notices to their occupants, but its action was stayed. The final vestiges of hope for the residents vanished earlier this month when the apex court dismissed another plea of theirs against the demolition.

Although the illegal apartments have now been vacated, the residents say they will only permit the BMC to sever the utilities; any attempt by it to raze the flats’ internal walls will reignite their agitation.