Gokul Nivas revamp: Locals, shopkeepers to join forces with Mhada

The tenants of Gokul Nivas at Kalbadevi have formed a committee that will coordinate with the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) to redevelop their building, which collapsed after a blaze on Saturday.

The tenants of Gokul Nivas at Kalbadevi have formed a committee that will coordinate with the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) to redevelop their building, which collapsed after a blaze on Saturday.

A-portion-of-the-Kalbadevi-building-collapsed-even-as-firemen-continued-to-douse-the-fire-Pratham-Gokhale-HT-photo

The tenants, along with local MLA Raj Purohit, had a meeting with officials from the civic body, Mhada and the police on Monday. While the Mhada plans to conduct a structural audit of all buildings in the vicinity, the possibility of redeveloping the structures other than Gokul Nivas, too, was discussed at the meeting.

“The Mhada officials have agreed to grant them permissions for repairs. But as the entire structure has collapsed, it will fall in the category of redevelopment of plot,” said a civic official.

“Residents of Gokul Nivas have formed a development committee to look into the redevelopment. The two families that lived on the top floor have been given temporary accommodation. The chief minister may also give them relief, using the CM’s relief fund,” said the MLA.

The residential tenants on the top floor of the Gokul Nivas building have been temporarily shifted to Mhada buildings, but the shopkeepers have not been given any such relief. The Mhada will start its audit on Tuesday with the neighbouring Naryan Niwas building.

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Shaina NC met the family members of the firemen who lost their lives in the incident. “We have drafted a letter to the municipal commissioner demanding early payment of compensation, along with a demand for a bigger house, not just 180 sqft, for their families,” she said.

The BJP has also sought help from various NGOs to support Priyanka Pol, one of the residents of the Gokul Nivas, whose wedding was scheduled at the end of the month. The family has been promised compensation by various politicians and may also get relief from the CM’s fund. The Pols are currently staying at Prabhadevi, in one of the houses meant for mill workers.