Bought flats with all savings, no money for a new place, say residents, refuse to leave
Times of India | 24 January 2025
1234 Kolkata: Residents of the tilted Pushpanjali Apartment on Christopher Road dug in their heels and refused to vacate their homes despite the KMC's Wednesday evacuation order, given the risk the leaning structure posed. For the residents, it has been extremely difficult to function without electricity and water supply—both were disconnected on Wednesday—but moving out and finding another home seemed a much bigger struggle.
The unauthorised Pushpanjali Apartment houses 12 flats on six floors, with sizes ranging from 450 sq ft to 650 sq ft, which were sold for Rs 13 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. The builder, Daniel Lee, who lives nearby, had illegally started constructions on the terrace as well.
Senior citizen Samar Nandi, who bought a small flat on the second floor, underwent waist surgery. Ever since, he has been exercising extreme caution in using the staircase. His wife, Aparna Nandi, also underwent knee replacement surgery a couple of months ago. "I bought the flat with whatever savings we had just a year ago. Now, if we are asked to move out, it is not possible. I have no money left to rent a place. I have conveyed my helplessness to the KMC officials and police," Samar said. Their only son, who lives in Mumbai, is upset with the news. "In the absence of power and water, we are going through a lot of hardship. Hope they will restore power supply by Friday," said Aparna.
The pleadings led to a change of stance by KMC officials, who said they would not immediately ask residents to move out unless a structural engineer certified so. After KMC officials and the local councillor, Sandipan Saha, visited the families and told them that they might not have to vacate after all, the residents seemed a bit relieved. "We are somehow managing without power and water. But for how long? We can't move out of our own flats under such circumstances. We hope the power connection will be restored by Friday morning," said Krishna Sengupta (71).
During a visit to the house, a TOI team found that none of the flat owners had moved out, though three of the four tenants had. Shukla Das was the only tenant who has stayed back. "Civic officials and the councillor said they would come up with a decision on Friday and we may not have to leave," she said.