Builder has turned Willingdon Colony into a prison: Locals

MUMBAI: Residents of the century-old Willingdon Colony, popularly known as the Bombay Catholic Colony, have alleged that a developer has put up barricades around the 5.5-acre settlement and installed closed circuit televison cameras to monitor them. The residents have also alleged that the developer has cut off their MTNL connections.
The colony, nestled amid lush gardens, in Santa Cruz (W) comprises 23 cottages and is listed as a Grade III heritage precinct.Senior citizens said that they have to jump over close tin-sheet gates to get out of colony.
"As the main gates are closed and the developer has latched it from inside, we cannot enter the colony. To go out, we have to open the tin gate and remove the latch. The gate is 12-ft high. The developer has done this deliberately.
Barricades have been put up all around, making the colony claustrophobic and intimidating," said Francis Gomes, a resident, adding that the colony's name has also been removed.
"It's a virtual prison as guards patrol with walkie-talkies. Pan, tilt and zoom cameras with infrared have been mounted near our houses to track our movements," said Gomes. Residents also allege that the developer has not allowed them to water-proof their houses that have numerous leakages. "I feel unsafe with the cameras as I have an ailing husband. They are infringing on our privacy. They might be eves-dropping on our cellphone conversations too," said another resident.
When contacted, the developer said that the firm cannot reply immediately and it would do so later. On June 6, five cottages in the colony were razed. The court had then granted an interim stay on the demolition. On June 14, the HC had asked the colony residents opposing redevelopment to pursue their appeal before the High Power Committee (HPC) of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and ordered status quo until the HPC arrives at a decision.
The peaceful ambience of the century old Willingdon colony in Santa Cruz (W) has been disturbed again as residents allege that they are living virtually like prisoners, being monitored by CCTV cameras with phone connections disconnected allegedly by the developer.
Nestled amid lush green gardens, the 5.5-acre Willingdon Colony, also known as the Bombay Catholic Colony, comprises 23 cottages and is listed as a Grade III heritage precinct. Senior citizens say that they are finding it increasingly difficult to live in the colony as they have to jump over closed tin sheet gates and leave the premises.
"The main gates are closed and the developer has latched it from inside. We are unable to enter the premises. We have to push open the tin gate, remove the latch and go out.
It's a 12 feet high gate and it's being deliberately done. They have put barricades all around the place and made the plot claustrophobic and intimidating," said Francis Gomes, a resident.
All their letters and couriers are sent back, as the name of the colony at the entrance was removed.
"Our MTNL phone lines are cut inside the society premises. It's a virtual prison for us, as they are security guards roaming with their walkie talkie. There are PTZ (pan,tilt and zoom) cameras being installed, so that they can be turned into any direction and they can move to 150m and they are infrared and can be monitored at night. They have mounted it close to our houses to keep survelliance on our movements,"said Gomes.
Residents allege that the developer has not allowed to water-proof their homes that have numerous leakages. "I feel unsafe with the cameras as I have an ailing husband. They are intruding into our lives and infringing on our privacy. Probably, they even try to catch our cell phone conversation,"said another resident from the colony.
When contacted, the developer said they would not be able to reply immediately and would do so later. Recently on June 6, five cottages were razed. The court had granted an interim stay on the demolition. The Bombay High Court on June 14 had asked residents of Willingdon colony opposing its redevelopment to pursue their appeal before the High Power Committee (HPC) of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and ordered status quo until the HPC arrives at a decision.