MUMBAI, July 25: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), it seems, is reluctant to consider the woes of the residents of Vashi. Two months after a report was presented to the NMMC by Prof R G Limaye of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mumbai, stating that the JN-1 and JN-2 type flats built by CIDCO at Vashi are unfit for human habitation, NMMC seems to be reluctant to take any action on the basis of the report. Instead, according to sources at the corporation, it is learnt that Prof Limaye might be asked to review his report.

More than 80 such buildings were constructed by CIDCO and handed over to the present residents in the early 1980s. The residents have been regularly complaining to the authorities about lack of basic facilities. They claimed that they were allotted less space than what was promised to them in the agreement.

In their complaint to the CIDCO chairman, the residents claimed that as per the agreement, the carpet area per flat was mentioned as being 14.836 meters, while the actual area allotted to them was less than 13 meters.

Moreover, instead of a separate kitchen which was shown in the agreement, they were provided with only a kitchenette. ``Can you call a 1.25 sq metre space a kitchen?'' a resident asked.

Taking note of these complaints, the NMMC requested Prof Limaye to conduct a study as to whether the flats were fit for human habitation. The study was done in March and April, this year and the report was presented to the corporation in May.

According to the report, the two colonies suffered from lack of proper planning. The relative positioning of the tenements with reference to light and ventilation appears to be unsatisfactory, it said. Besides being too small for comfort, the baths and toilets have common drain pipes which threaten hygiene. Continuous leakages have affected the walls and electrical fittings have been damaged at many places. ``Though this has probably not led to any serious mishap so far, the risk is increasing with time,'' the report warned.

The report further stated that though deficiencies like corrosion and cracking of concrete could be overcome to a great extent through repairs, the cost involved may turn out to be more than the original cost of construction.

But NMMC officials claim that the report does not say anything about the repairs which have been already done on the buildings. Chief engineer Arun Patil comments on the report: ``There are various points in the report which have to be discussed in technical detail. "The entire information is not available to us at the moment.'' He claimed to have summoned Prof Limaye for a meeting on Monday.

However, when contacted, Prof Limaye denied any knowledge of such a proposed meeting. He maintained that the report was complete and any further additions would be made only after discussions with the NMMC. ``Let them contact me first,'' he said.

Meanwhile, residents of the locality have threatened to launch a morcha against the indifferent attitude of the authorities to their plight.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.