MUMBAI: As news of the Maharashtra ordinance to regularise thousands of unauthorised buildings at Ulhasnagar in Thane district spread in the hundreds of congested lanes and bylanes, people came out celebrating and thanking government officials and political representatives.

This Sindhi-dominated, crowded township, about 60 km from here, had been reeling under the pressure of demolition since April 2005 when the Bombay High Court first ordered the municipal corporation to pull down 855 buildings for violation of construction rules.

The government on Tuesday approved the ordinance to regularise unauthorised constructions and encroachments, which cropped up till January 1, 2005, by charging development tax and other taxes.

Reeta Kapoor is just back from celebrations organised at Rahul Palace, one of the buildings ordered razed.

"This is the best New Year gift we could have got. All of us were too small to fight this out but because of politicians, media and other officials our demands were accepted," said Ms. Kapoor, a resident of Rani Maa Apartment, which was scheduled to go in the first phase of demolition. She was a worried mother for over two months as her children became nervous and refused to attend school and college.

Details yet to be worked out

Haridas Makhija, former Mayor, who was negotiating the stay of the demolitions, said, "After the ordinance goes to the Governor and is approved, people will present it to the High Court. All the buildings built till January 1, 2005 will be regularised on payment of a penalty. Details of which buildings have violated how many rules and to what extent are yet to be worked out. But as of now, this is a major relief. Also the government has decided to punish the guilty builders and architects and some officers as well."

Hari Tanwani, who filed a public interest litigation petition, said: "The purpose of the plea was not to throw people out on the streets. It was to maintain the rule of law and improve infrastructure at Ulhasnagar... A Supreme Court judgment says merely demolishing illegal constructions will not solve the problem. I demanded a rehabilitation plan for the residents. What I demanded has not been given and the case is still being heard."

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