Despite the Santacruz West Khotwadi Slum Redevelopment project by Transcon Developers being finalized, residents have yet to receive rent for their homes and commercial spaces for the past six years, as per the communication from the residents.
Residents express deep concern over the lack of response from Transcon Developers regarding their outstanding rent payments. Despite numerous attempts to communicate with the developers, their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Moreover, there have been reports of intimidation tactics employed by the builders' representatives, adding to the residents' distress. Residents are also appealing to the government for immediate action and assistance in resolving this matter and safeguarding their rights.
"People are really in pain as the builder has not given them rent for their homes and commercial spaces for the past six years. This situation has put our lives at stake. We trusted the promises made by Transcon Developers, but now we are left struggling to make ends meet," shares a resident who wished to remain anonymous.
Realty+ contacted the company to know the status, and as per Transcon developers, they have been striving to ensure that the scheme is completed in a timely manner, making all the endeavours to rehabilitate the slum dwellers in their dream homes expeditiously.
“The company has been clearing all the outstanding dues from time to time. Additionally, Transcon has been taking positive steps to complete the project expeditiously, which is evident from fact that the construction of rehab buildings is nearing completion and we expect to handover possession of rehab tenements to the slum dwellers within 2-3 months. The allegations pertaining to intimidation tactics or failure to respond to the slum dwellers by the Developer are false and untrue, made with the sole intent of arm-twisting us to surrender to their illegal and unreasonable demands. These facts can be easily established based on correspondence with the SRA and the report submitted by the AR (SRA) from time to time,” said the company.
The developers presenting the chronology of events have stated:
Though the LOI was issued in the year 2014, due to some slum dwellers resisting from vacating their structures and allowing us to implement the scheme, we were able to get the plot fully vacated only in the year 2019 whereafter construction work could be commenced.
On 06-9-2023, Stop Work Notice bearing no. SRA/ENG/72712/HW/2023 issued by Ex. Eng. SRA on the basis of Letter dated 04-9-2023 issued by AR(SRA) regarding outstanding rent of Rs. 1,38,60,000/- in respect of the SR Scheme.
On 6-11-2023, SRA vide its letter bearing no. 2/83013/2023/OD-261/HW recorded that in view of the developer depositing the DD for Rs. 1,38,60,000/- and agreeing to clear any dues if still payable, the stop work notices referred therein are cancelled and withdrawn.
On April 03, 2024, the Transcon developers submitted cheque for slum dwellers for a sum of Rs. 1,04,74,500/- for the period of 3 months (April 2024-June 2024).
It was on 25-4-2024, that the developer addressed a letter to AR (SRA) with respect to its submission on the allegations of outstanding rent. In this letter the developer has highlighted the discrepancies in the list submitted by the complainant and has also submitted the statement of rent paid by the developer for the verification by the AR (SRA) with submission that if any rent is still due or payable, the developer shall pay the same.
On 26-4-2024, report of AR bearing SRA/CO/OW/2244 /year 2024 addressed to TIPL, Girija Shankar Tiwar & Ors. On the basis of written submission of each parties referred therein. In this report, the AR has interalia made following observations:
- The list of names submitted in both complaints includes the repeated names;
- The developer has paid by outstanding rent of approximately Rs. 2,43,34,500/-
- The rent demand of the complainants for increased rent is very high and unreasonable.
- The Developer has submitted a letter stating that they will pay the rent if any due to the slum dwellers.
- The slum dwellers were directed to submit the bank account details so that the rent deposited by the developer can be transferred to them.
Finally, on May 02, 2024, AR (SRA) vide its letter addressed to Finance Controller SRA submitted the details of rent deposited by SRA in the accounts of slum dwellers out of the amounts received from the Developer (Rs. 2,43,34,500/- ) for the slum dwellers who have given their account details. (Rs. 16, 69,500/-)
In its communication to Realty+, the company has assured that it shall take all steps and efforts to ensure that the slum dwellers receive all the benefits of the scheme to which they are entitled, including the rents towards transit accommodation until they are rehabilitated and put in possession of their respective rehab tenements. Moreover, Transcon is committed to start handing over the units for SRA very soon from hereon.
