September 20, 2025: More than a month after the Chunniwala building collapse in Chira Bazaar, displaced residents are grappling with exhausting daily commutes of nearly 180 km due to MHADA’s bureaucratic delays. Families, scattered across distant suburbs, are struggling with drained savings and disrupted routines.
“Our houses crumbled on August 17. Today is September 19. All we’ve been given are dates after dates to get the keys to temporary accommodation. Are we asking for something we are not entitled to?” asked Kamlesh Mayekar, one of the displaced residents.
Several families, unable to live in neighbours’ cramped homes, have moved to relatives far away. “Our neighbours sheltered us for weeks, but their houses are also small and they have their own routines. Since 10 days, we’ve been living in my niece’s home in Vasai. I am 63, with children aged 11 and 13. Their school and tuition are near Chira Bazar. Every morning we catch a 5.30 am train to get there, and return only after 6.30 pm. It’s exhausting,” said Hiraji Deo.
For some, the relocation has meant expensive stays in PGs and hostels. “I’m paying Rs 800 per day at a PG in Grant Road. Getting even that was tough since I am the sole breadwinner with three sons. I earn around Rs 40,000 a month. My second and youngest son has a speech problem. They both used to run a vadapav stall under our Chira Bazar building. But now even that has shut down because of the building collapse. My savings are running out, and if we don’t get a house soon, I’ll be left with nothing for emergencies. My eldest son has just joined a developer. But he has been told that he would just earn Rs 10,000 and that too he will start getting from next month,” said 56-year-old Sanjeevani Soshte.
At the MHADA head office, officials blamed inter-departmental processes. “We have completed the online process. Now it’s up to the outward department to ensure the files reach the Dadar MHADA office,” said a senior official. Rupesh Shelatkar, a Dadar office officer, added, “We haven’t received any hard copies of the orders yet. The orders were uploaded online only on Friday afternoon. Once we get the papers in hand, there will be no delay from our side.”
Source: Mid-day
