Mumbai: Why the men who protect the city are themselves living in fear

Families of policemen in the quarters at Teen Dongri in Goregaon have been living in the dangerous and dilapidated structure for years now. Pics/Nimesh Dave

Even as the 80-odd families of policemen at Teen Dongri in Goregaon have to repeatedly keep looking at their ceilings, lest they show signs of crashing down, the tug-of-war between the civic body and the Public Works Department (PWD) isn't helping matters. While the BMC has issued eviction notices to the families to vacate their official quarters, the PWD that undertakes the repairs has claimed that there is no immediate need to vacate the premises and that the families can continue to stay "without any fear".

Wives' woes
The wife of a constable said, "We live in constant fear... Our men protect others, and yet, their own families are ignored when it comes to their safety. Every minute in this dilapidated structure is stressful."

A few months ago, a major tragedy was averted when Sarda Pagade, wife of a constable, was making tea for guests. A part of the ceiling came crashing down into the water pan. Without wasting a second, she grabbed her toddler and ran out of the house. Pagade isn't the only one. "The ceiling of one of the rooms in our house is completely damaged. We have crammed ourselves on the other end," said the wife of another.

Wait in vain
The colony was declared dilapidated quite some time ago; yet, it has been years that the families have been waiting for relief. There are major cracks all over the building. Several portions of the ceilings have fallen down. The balconies of some of the houses are the most dangerous ones. "Every time my kids go out to the balcony to play, I am on the edge. We all here fear for our families," said another occupant.

According to the constables living there, the civic body has sent three notices regarding the state of the building. They added said that for the past 18 months, they have been approaching the PWD to repair the structure, but they have not received any confirmation yet. Many have spent their own money for the repairs, but the structure remains at risk. "We have been given the duty to look after the citizens, but when it comes to our families, we are ignored," rued a constable.

1968
The year the police colony in Goregaon was constructed