Razing Illegal Structures Leaves Buildings Weak

The Bombay High Court has said that illegal constructions in Mumbai must be demolished. Buildings that have unauthorized floors will also lose these floors. Residents who have bought these illegal buildings are worried. However, there is usually a panic among residents whose homes won’t be touched as well. This is because the entire building may become weak after demolition.

Weaker structure and other concerns

Residents in the legal floors have a reason to be worried. Reports from structural engineers say that once the top floors are razed, the remainder of the structure will lose its stability, become weak and hence unfit for residence. The reports say that it is not logical to think that the demolition crew will be delicate in razing a structure. Though a BMC report claims that the lower structures will be unaffected, the crude ways of demolishing columns and beams will naturally affect the overall stability of the building.

There are other concerns that plague residents of these buildings. These concerns include supply of electricity and water to the remaining flats once they are cut off from the illegal floors. In case of Campa Cola compound, there is one common water tank for each wing. Apart from this, there is the unbearable noise of the machines which the remaining residents have to endeavour for the entire duration of the demolition. Then there is the flying debris that creates dust and pollution. Some people feel that the buildings which once looked beautiful will now look ugly once the illegal floors are razed.

Emotional connection

While residents fear that their homes may become uninhabitable due to demolition, they also have emotions attached to their neighbours. Apartments are usually like one big family. Losing some residents due to knocking down of buildings is like losing a part of the family for the remaining residents.