Residents of illegal flats on the Campa Cola compound started moving out their belongings on Tuesday. The move came hours after the Supreme Court refused to stay demolition of flats. Mushtaq Nawab and his wife who live on the sixth floor of Orchid building were busy clearing their homes. Household items were being put in boxes and taken down to be kept in the garage. “We called our relatives to help us. It was difficult to find packers,” said Mr. Nawab.
He said he had another home on Mira Road, a satellite township of Mumbai. However, the home was very far and being used to south Mumbai, the family would find it difficult to move, he said. “My wife has a knee problem and it is hard going all the way to Mira Road. We don’t even have enough money to buy a new flat,” said the retired Central Excise officer.
At the Sanghvi household on the 10th floor of the same building, a similar situation as unfolding in the afternoon. The Gujarati business family of 10 were seen clearing their home. “We have a cancer patient at home and a little child. It is very difficult for us to move as a big family. Relatives have come to help but who can accommodate such a large family?” asked Bhavana Sanghvi.
The builders were originally allowed to build up to five floors but instead, built two towers of 17 and 20 floors each and three buildings of six floors each and two of seven floors. “We are still hopeful that the Chief Minister intervenes in this matter. In any case, we are shifting out our belongings. We don’t want to lose our stuff along with our homes,” said resident Nandini Mehta.
Meanwhile, civic officials have said they would proceed on the eviction process on Wednesday.
