Maharashtra govt nod for temporary homes for residents of Ghatkoper building 22 days after crash

[This the probably the first time that the government has allotted temporary accommodation to residents of collapsed buildings in such a short period on humanitarian grounds]

The Maharashtra state government on Monday, August 14, 2017 cleared the file to allot temporary accommodation to the families who lived in the Ghatkopar building that collapsed under the project-affected people scheme until their building is rebuilt. On July 25, the ground-plus-four storey Siddhi Sai Cooperative Society in Ghatkopar was reduced to rubble, killing 17 persons, including two infants.

This the probably the first time that the government has allotted temporary accommodation to residents of collpased builings in such a short period on humanitarian grounds. They are expected to move into their temporary new homes within a day or two, even as the residents of Altaf Mansion building in Mahim, which collapsed in 2011, are still awaiting for similar aid from the government. It has been four long years since the displaced families from Mahim have been living either on rent or with relatives. Also, the builder is yet to start the reconstruction work.

In the Ghatkopar case, some of the displaced families are reluctant to move into the temporary accommodation as it is “too far from their area”. “We were waiting for temporary accommodation since days, but they are shifting us to distant areas; we don’t want to go there,” said Lalchand Ramchandani (67), who lived on the fourth floor of Siddhi Sai building. He had a close shave as he had left for work a few minutes before the crash.

“The government tried to provide them temporary accommodation in Ghatkopar itself, but it wasn’t possible. So, the government is allotting them houses in other areas,” said local MP Kirit Somaiya. “All the relief fund promised by the state and central governments has already been distributed to most of the survivors. We are also taking help of the NGOs associated with our party to reconstruct the collapsed building at no cost.”

It was alleged that local Shiv Sena politician, Sunil Shitap, had made structural changes in his three ground-floor flats causing the Ghatkopar building to crash. The BMC had allowed change of use for the ground floor to be used as a nursing home. The committee, appointed by the BMC chief to probe the incident, is expected to submit its report before August 25.