No OC yet for 130 bldgs on 50-year-old sewage system

Mumbai: Nearly 130 redeveloped buildings of Tilak Nagar stand tall without an OC for the last 8-10 years. The reason being the old sewage system in the area. The proposal for OC is pending before the housing authority and it cannot be passed until the sewage system is upgraded. Currently, the system is bearing twice the pressure due to the extra FSI granted to builders.

According to locals, area MP Poonam Mahajan has been following up with the chief minister as well as the housing authority to get a blanket OC for all the 130 buildings. However, till now the OC is a distant dream for these high rises resulting in a big risk to the lives of the residents.

The OCs of the buildings will not be cleared until and unless the sewage line is upgraded, revealed a spokesperson from Mahajan’s office. “Nearly '161 crore has been allocated by Mhada for sewage line upgradation of five plots in the area which includes Tilak Nagar. For Tilak Nagar a reserve of Rs 40 crore has been allocated and the work for the same was supposed to begin months ago,” said Amit Das, the spokesperson. The sewage line for people residing in these 130 buildings was originally meant for only a third of citizens, revealed locals. The Asian Age is in possession of a letter,  was sent to Mr Fadnavis by Mahajan on the issue of sewage line.

“Mhada developed the area without upgrading 50-year-old sewage system. For the past several years, the tussle between Mhada and BMC is delaying OC to these buildings,” reads the letter.