Pune: In last three years, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued only 12 certificates to tenants staying in wadas for securing their rights. In 2015, State government has issued guidelines to provide a certificate to tenants in wadas which are in dilapidated condition.
According to the civic body, many tenants do not trust wada owners as they feel their rights will not be respected during the development of properties (wada). As a result of this, the civic body is unable to vacate majority of dilapidated wadas.
The government has made four categories such as very dangerous (C-1), repair structure after evacuation (C-2A), repair structure without carrying out evacuation (C-2B) and minor repair work of structure (C-3). As per the notification, civic body needs to issue notices to tenants mentioning the status of the structure and the details of repair work. For wadas under C-1 categories, civic body needs to issue certificates to tenants mentioning areas in it. If tenants do not show a willingness to leave the structure, civic body can disconnect their water and electricity supply.
Shridhar Yeolekar, Executive Engineer of Building Permission and Development Department. said, “They have issued notices to tenants of these wadas and removed dangerous parts of these structure. We appealed tenants to vacate house but they are not ready as they do not have an alternate option where they can shift. On the other hand, most of the tenants do not want to vacate houses even when the corporation is ready to provide them certificates as many of them do not trust owners as well as developers. Only a few tenants have vacated tenements and took certificates from the corporation.”
Dinesh Bandal, one of the tenants in a wada located in Mote area, said, “It is a good move of State government. However, after the demolition of the structure, I don’t know if the owner will entertain us. Otherwise, we will have to register the case in court. Is State government ready to help and save tenants?”
Akshay Kabdule. another tenant from Kasba Peth wada said, “For how many days, we will have to make temporary arrangement elsewhere. It is not just property or land for us, we are emotionally attached to this place and structure. All wadas are located in heart of the city, so no one wants to move outside the main city area. The government should have made some rules or provisions in the law to give flats after the redevelopment of wadas.”
Need urgent attention
- 254 wadas in C-I category (dilapidated state).
- Civic body has taken action against 239 wadas located in Sukhrawar Peth, Raviwar Peth, Sadhashiv Peth, Navi Peth, Shaniwar Peth, Narayan Peth, Somwar Peth, Mangalwar Peth, Budhwar Peth, Rasta Peth
