The direction comes in response to the petition filed by Mumbai Bhadekaru Sangh complaining against the sub-human living conditions in the 51-odd transit camps across the city. The petitioners informed that court that about mounds of garbage lying uncleared in these camps, lack of water supply and electricity connections and general apathy of the MHADA administration. The petitioners complained that citizens, evacuated from their original buildings, were compelled to stay for years in these camps.

Following the petition the court had ordered MHADA to take up garbage removal on a war footing at Sion and Jogeshwari camps to start with. Deputy chief engineer (North) Madhavan Thandyakkal today filed an affidavit informing the court of theaction taken in the intervening days.

MHADA's affidavit stated that after a joint meeting, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has already instructed its ward officers to start work on cleaning up of the camps. MHADA has formed 34 work groups, headed by one deputy engineer, to supervise work in one or more camps. The affidavit claims that clearance of garbage and storm water drains has been completed in many camps, and toilets without doors were also attended to.

The affidavit claims that trespassers and illegal occupants are staying in buildings which are set aside for demolition. Photographs were produced before the court showing these buildings on the verge of collapse. The deputy engineer informed that these buildings will be demolished soon.

Arguing that long time measures take time, MHADA claimed that steps have been taken to ensure water supply in these camps, electric pumps were being rechecked. While the counsel asked for four weeks time to accomplish the task, the court granted twoweeks to report on the progress on the work undertaken in the affected camps.