Five cottages razed in heritage colony

MUMBAI: The serenity of the century-old Willingdon Colony in Santa Cruz (W) was disturbed when five bungalows were unceremoniously demolished by a developer on Thursday.
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.
The demolition began in the morning, with colony residents waking up to the rude sounds of bulldozers and trucks on the premises.
Residents said no prior notice was issued either by the developer or the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA).
"At 8am, three bulldozers and three trucks entered the colony with 500 bouncers and about 50 women without identity cards," Francis Gomes, a resident, said. "Neither did residents get any SRA notice nor was anything displayed inside the premises. No barricades were put up for the demolition."
Residents said the developer, who was directing the operations, snatched away their cellphones.
"They didn't allow us to take photographs of the demolition," Gomes said. "They threatened us, snatched our cellphones and assaulted us. Women's clothes were torn. We were bleeding. All exit and entry gates were closed for residents."
The Supreme Court had given a green signal to the redevelopment of the 5.5-acre land two months ago, but the project hit a roadblock after the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) objected to the sanction for redevelopment of the heritage precinct under the SRA as the cottages were not demarcated as slums.
"These cannot be demolished or altered without prior permission from the MHCC," Melwyn S, another Willingdon Colony resident, said. "The heritage panel wrote to the SRA on April 7 that pending the inquiry, the developers shouldn't touch the structures. This was forcible demolition."
A non-cognizable complaint was filed at the Santa Cruz police station against the developer.
"It was like a mafia attack," Gomes said. "It did not feel like India. We were treated like prisoners and the police remained silent spectators. A senior police official told us that a complaint would be filed against us if we stalled the demolition."
A stay order on the demolition was given by the SRA in consultation with the BMC. The developer could not be contacted.