Ceiling slab collapses in MLA hostel in Mumbai, state acts promptly

The government also announced that the National Building Construction Corporation Limited will redevelop the 20-year-old Manora hostel at a cost of Rs700 crore.

After the ceiling of a room collapsed in Manora MLA hostel at Nariman Point on Monday, the state is trying to provide alternative accommodation to 158 legislators who were living there. If unsuccessful, the governemnet will pay them monthly rent to find accommodation elsewhere.

The government plans to house 367 legislators from both the houses at four sprawling towers to be built on the 12,000-sqm plot. (HT File)

A part of the ceiling collapsed in hostel room no 125 of D wing of the hostel allotted to NCP MLA Satish Patil but no one was hurt as the room was empty.

Admitting that the hostel buildings are in a dilapidated state, CM Devendra Fadnavis said alternate accommodation will be provided to all MLAs residing at the hostel. He added that the government is also considering giving monthly rent to MLAs in case they don’t find enough accommodation for all.

There are two high-rises at the Manora hostel that accommodate 158 legislators. Soon after the incident, the state began looking for an alternate accommodation in south and central Mumbai.

The state released an advertisement asking interested parties to come forward if they had fully furnished flats admeasuring 450-550 sq feet carpet area preferably in Cuffe Parade, Nariman Point, Walkeshwar, Malabar Hill, Wadala upto Dadar on rental basis for residence of its legislators for a minimum period of two to three years. The interested parties have been asked to submit the offer by August 9, said a senior official.

Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar demanded monthly rental of Rs1 lakh for MLAs in case the state is unable to provide alternate accommodation. Patil, who was also present in the lower house, said, “Fortunately I was not there at the time of the incident. If you are unable to provide accommodation, allow us to stay at Vidhan Bhavan.”

The state has planned to demolish the towers and build new structures.“We know about the inferior quality of construction but now redevelopment is the only option left,” said the CM.