Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust holds march on old buildings

An organisation, created for cluster redevelopment of congested Bhendi Bazaar area in South Mumbai, today took out a peace march to sensitise people about theperils of living in dilapidated buildings.

Scores of people living in the area along with students took part in the march organised by the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT).

The marchers appealed to people not to put their lives at risk by living in old and dilapidated buildings.

Many such buildings have collapsed during the monsoon in the past, killing a number of people.

"The march was a part of the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust's public interest campaign 'Behtar Kal' (better tomorrow) aimed at alerting tenants about the risk of staying in buildings that are prone to collapse during the monsoons," said Saifuddin Patnawala, a representative of the SBUT.

Safeguarding the interest of tenants living in dilapidated buildings in Bhendi Bazaar has always been a priority for the SBUT, he said.

According to official estimates, there are over 16,000 old and dilapidated buildings in the city. Of these, nearly 200 are in Bhendi Bazar.

State bodies - the BMC and the Mhada - have served eviction notices to the occupants of several of these buildings, but have not met with much success.

Local MLA Amin Patel said, "There are over 200 buildings in Bhendi Bazar which have been served eviction notices by the BMC and the Mhada.

"The march was undertaken to alert people to move out of such buildings. It is painful to see some families risking their lives and continuing to reside in buildings declared unfit for living."