Mumbai: MCGM disconnects electronic meters, water, gas supply to Campa Cola flats

Mumbai: After a three-day standoff, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai officials have disconnected power and gas supply at some of the illegal flats in the Campa Cola society in Mumbai.

The MCGM's Deputy Municipal Commissioner has said that 55 electronic meters in the compound have been disconnected. Water connection in six flats has been disconnected, while gas connection has been disconnected in 14 flats.

The BMC has added that they will increase the manpower from Tuesday to speed up the work.

The MCGM had formed 12 teams to disconnect the essential supply to the total 96 illegal flats on 35 floors.

The officials had been facing stiff resistance from the residents who had blocked their way. But finally, on Sunday, the residents caved in and said they will allow MCGM officials to cut off essential supplies to the 90 illegal flats in the compound. But they remain defiant over not handing the keys to the officials.

On Sunday, the representatives of the society met Chief Minister Prithviraj seeking help over the issue. Addressing the media after meeting the Chief Minister, the residents said that they changed their minds after two protesters had to be taken to the hospital earlier in the day.

The Supreme Court had on June 3 dismissed the plea of the residents of the illegal flats against an earlier order asking them to vacate their apartments by May 31.

Following the apex court order, the MCGM had issued notices to the owners of the illegal units to hand over the keys to their flats so that demolition could be carried out. However, none of the owners has done so.

The MCGM deadline for vacating the flats expired on June 20 and, as part of their plan to force the occupants to hand over the apartments, civic authorities decided to cut off essential services like water and power supply to them.

In their last-ditch effort to save their flats, the residents had even petitioned to President Pranab Mukherjee, requesting him to stay the demolition of the illegal flats on "humanitarian grounds."

(With additional information from PTI)