In photos: Demolition of unsafe Vasai buildings after Bombay High Court order
In photos: Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation demolishes dangerously dilapidated Vasai buildings after Bombay High Court clears way for redevelopment
Updated on: Oct 03, 2025 7:33 PM IST
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One month after the Bombay High Court ordered the demolition of two dangerously dilapidated buildings in Vasai (West), the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC) has started razing Pushpanjali and Deepanjali CHS to pave the way for redevelopment. The photo shows bulldozers tearing down the structures. (Deepak Turbhekar )
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In August 2025, the Bombay High Court directed members of the two societies opposing redevelopment to vacate their premises. The court ruled that once a building is declared unsafe, residents cannot stop the municipal corporation from proceeding with demolition, nor can a minority block redevelopment decisions endorsed by the majority. The photo shows demolition work underway at the site. (Deepak Turbhekar )
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On February 28, 2025, the VVMC classified building numbers H-1 and H-2 of Deepanjali Cooperative Housing Society (CHS) and building numbers H-3 and H-4 of Pushpanjali CHS at Diwan and Sons Housing Enclave on Ambadi Road in Vasai (West) as C-1 structures declared too dangerous for habitation and requiring immediate demolition. The photo shows debris from both the buildings of Pushpanjali CHS and one building of Deepanjali CHS. The building shown in the photo is the second structure of Deepanjali CHS scheduled for demolition in the coming days. (Deepak Turbhekar )
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The two housing societies, comprising four buildings with 112 members, had already seen 101 residents vacate their flats after the majority appointed a developer for redevelopment. However, 11 members opposed the project and refused to move out, residents told HT.com. The building visible in the photo is the second structure of Deepanjali CHS slated for demolition in the coming days, alongside debris from the portions of both buildings demolished over the past week. (Deepak Turbhekar )
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According to society members, the 11 residents opposing redevelopment were demanding more space than the 20% additional area offered by the appointed developer. The nearly 40-year-old societies consist of a mix of studio, 1 BHK, and 2 BHK apartments. While 101 members accepted the 20% additional area, 11 refused to vacate in the hope of securing a higher share, residents told HT.com. (Deepak Turbhekar )
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The opposing members, who earlier lived in the buildings now being demolished by bulldozers, had approached the Bombay High Court. Last month, the court ruled that a minority cannot stall redevelopment once buildings are declared unsafe and the majority has approved it. It observed that while members may pursue objections legally, this cannot be done at the cost of lives or by delaying demolition. The court directed residents to vacate and authorised the VVMC to evict them with police assistance if necessary. (Deepak Turbhekar )
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With demolition in Vasai now underway, most residents feel relieved that a long and contentious chapter is finally ending. For families who vacated months ago, the Bombay High Court’s intervention has paved the way for modern housing with 20% more space and upgraded amenities. (Deepak Turbhekar )
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According to society members, redevelopment talks for the two societies in Vasai began in 2015, but the process was repeatedly stalled as members struggled to secure a developer. (Deepak Turbhekar )
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Vilas Lakshri, a ground-floor resident of Pushpanjali CHS, in Vasai said, “I vacated my flat in December 2024, and I’m relieved that demolition has finally begun after months of delays due to the court case. Every monsoon, my flat would get waterlogged, and I was in desperate need of a new home.” (Deepak Turbhekar )
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