Santosha floors to be razed before July 10

Patna: Uncertainty over the payment of compensation notwithstanding, the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to execute the Supreme Court order to demolish the top three floors having 21 flats and balconies of Santosha Complex in Bander Bagicha area off Fraser Road before July 10.

Patna Municipal Corporation commissioner Shirsat Kapil Ashok said the corporation would not wait for the distribution of compensation and start the demolition after June 10.

"The tender would be finalized by June 10 to carry the demolition work. We have already made a team for this purpose and, in fact, have send notices to the people, appealing to vacate the flats," Ashok told TOI on Saturday.

The Supreme Court, on March 10 this year, ordered the PMC to demolish the unauthorized parts of Santosha Complex within four months. The SC also ordered for enhancing the compensation rate from Rs6,000 to Rs7,000 per sq feet of the carpet area, which was supposed to be given within six weeks and the owners were to be given four weeks' time after that to vacate the flats.

The compensation deadline has already crossed.

"Giving compensation is not our duty. The Supreme Court has made it very clear that our duty is to carry out the demolition work within four months or else we will be liable to the court. As far as compensation is concerned, Justice (Retd) SN Jha, who is the court commissioner in this case, has to distribute it. We have got the July 10 deadline to submit the report to the SC and we would stick to that. The residents should move court if they are not getting the compensation," Ashok clarified.

However, Santosha resident Subodh Kumar Goel said they were waiting for one-to-one meeting with the PMC officials. "How can our flats be demolished before we get the compensation? In fact, the Supreme Court has made it clear that we should get the compensation first and then we will vacate the flats. While carrying out the demolition, the PMC has to take care that basic facilities like drinking water, electricity and lift does not get hampered. It's not only about demolishing the top three floors, they have to take care of the safety of those flats which would not be demolished," he said.

The apex court, in May 2013, had dismissed the civil appeal filed by the construction company after finding a lot of variations from the original plan.

Later, the residents filed the writ petition, but the Supreme Court refused to recall the order passed by it and directed the realtor company to deposit Rs25 crore, which was supposed to be used as the compensation to the flatowners.