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Noting the danger these buildings pose in the upcoming monsoon, the housing authority has begun the process of evicting the residents, offering them accommodation in transit camps.

As per MHADA, 176 premises have been given notices to evacuate, of which 29 have shifted to transit camps, while 36 have made alternate accommodations. Eviction notices to others and the process of evacuation for others is underway.

Residents have further been instructed to inform the Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board of MHADA control room in Tardeo of any danger signs in their buildings.

However, Mukesh Pendse, president of the Pagdi Ekta Sangh, said most of the residents end up staying in the dilapidated homes. “The 43 buildings are on the list from last year because nothing has changed and the residents continue to live in life-threatening conditions. In fact, their buildings have worsened,” he said.

While a few residents take the transit camp offer, most continue to stay in the buildings to stake their claim on their homes. And while the MHADA has raised the offer of Rs 20,000 monthly rent, residents remain sceptical. Pendse said, “MHADA in their notices declares they are not responsible for any loss to life if residents continue to stay in them,” said Pendse.

The dilapidated buildings continue to stand, stuck in limbo of redevelopment, in the backdrop of a case in the Supreme Court deciding on who – the BMC or MHADA – is the rightful authority to declare the buildings C1(highly dilapidated) and initiate redevelopment.