BMC considers possibilities to rehabilitate Campa Cola residents

campaThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is studying the possibilities of taking back a part of the portion in the Campa Cola premises from the developer. The builder had acquired third –party rights without the approval of the civic body to construct illegal flats. The civic body to official will present the options before the state Govt soon.

A senior administrator said that the portion of land in the posh area of Worli, Mumbai belongs to the BMC but its approval was never asked before the deal. If the illicit flat owners want to accommodate, then the old lease will be cancelled and new flats have to be developed.

It will not be an easy task to regain the land. Even if the land is given to the residents, its land-use will have to be changed from industrial to residential for construction. But the civic body thinks it is not an problem and the government can do it easily.

The big question is who will pay for the land; the current rate is Rs 40,000-50,000 per sq ft which is a huge amount. The state government may allot it at a much minimal rate, but then even it could cost a bulky sum and whether the residents can afford it.

The plan will have to get a green signal by the development board and the general body of the BMC. With most political heavyweights have support for the Campa Cola residents, this is not considered tough now.

The Supreme Court of India had asked attorney general Goolam Vahanvati to submit a plan for the reintegration of the owners of the illegal flats. The top court was informed that the residents can be rehabilitated in the same compound after demolition.