Raise Rs 12 lakh for demolition work: BMC tells building residents

The trauma for the residents of Altaf Mansion, a part of which collapsed on June 10, doesn't seem to end. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has asked the residents of the building to raise R 12 lakh for the demolition work, as the remaining portion of the building poses a grave threat to the surrounding buildings.

Part of the 35-year-old five storied Altaf Mansion at Cadell Road in Mahim, u00a0collapsed on June 10. File pic

The blame game over the cause of the collapse has begun between the residents and the corporation, as there is confusion around the paperwork of the building. The BMC will hire a contractor for the demolition process. A resident was shocked at the news of raising money. "I am currently living with my grandparents. We have lost everything in the collapse. I don't understand how the BMC is expecting us to raise such an amount at this point of time?" the resident said.

Confirming the news, Saba Gandhi, another resident, said, "We have been told to raise money for the demolition process. We will also raise funds to help those in need," said Saba Gandhi, a resident of
the building. Meanwhile, Rizwan Merchant, Sanjay Dutt's lawyer who lost three family members in the collapse, said, "We haven't received any such notice from the BMC." BMC officials refused to comment when contacted.u00a0