Chembur chawl unites to thwart builder l Developer bends every rule in book to push project through

Chembur chawl unites to thwart builder

l Developer bends every rule in book to push project through

Yet another real estate saga is being played out in the city, this time at the Ibrahim Chawl opposite Diamond Garden in Chembur. At stake is a prime plot being occupied by 100 tenants, with the builder trying every trick in the book to transform the dilapidated chawl into a plush high-rise, pushing the cost of each flat into crores. However, a majority of the tenants stand united to thwart the builder’s devious attempts to get the plot vacated. The going realty rate in the area is upwards of Rs15,000 per sqft. Things came to a head recently when developer Gharandaj Builders landed at the site with a posse of men and began building a site office in complete violation of the rule. There was a police van standing in attendance to protect his deed. “The builder first rented one of the shops on the plot and then began the extension work without securing any permission from BMC or Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA),” said Sandeep Doundkar, representing members opposing the builder. Of the 100 tenants at the chawl, about 80 are in opposition while 20 have switched over to the developer’s side. According to SRA rules, a project can be executed only if at least 75% members are in agreement. “It was ironic that the wrongdoer had police protection and we, the victims, had to sit in the police station till 4am to get ourselves heard,” Doundkar said. The fate of 23 tenants stands at the root of the battle. They are ineligible for rehabilitation due to improper documentation. “Ever since the developer mooted the SRA project in 2003, he had been promising that every tenant will be cleared for rehabilitation. But as soon as some members switched sides, not only did he go back on his word, but is also playing dirty to oust us,” said another member Ramesh Jagtap, adding that this is happening despite both the BMC and the SRA having ruled in favour of the majority members. The minority group with the developer feels the dispute is a result of misunderstanding. “The project was delayed for so many years as the plot’s original landlords took time to hand over the land to the developer,” said Shivram Naidu of the minority group, adding that the new SRA homes will have a market rate of at least Rs50 lakh. Moreover, the developer maintains that he is within his rights to build the site office and that work on the SRA project will commence only after other members agree. “More members are ready to come over. As far as the ineligible members are concerned, the onus is on them to get their documents verified by the government agencies, after which we are willing to rehabilitate them,” said BK Awhad, partner, Gharandaj Builders. While Awhad maintained being within his rights to seek protection, senior inspector Bhimrao Rathod of Chembur police denied having providing any. “We got a call on the wireless and sent a van to check the situation. Why should we protect any builder?” Rathod said.