Residents of Dombivli project protest over lack of promised amenities

At least 200 residents of the Runwal My city housing complex, located at Diva Manpada road, Dombivli (East), staged a protest on streets outside their complex

Angry residents of Runwal My city housing complex, who had been raising their grievances with the builder over several emails and meetings for the last four years, took to the streets after their demands were not met. They held placards criticising the developer. Their complaints ranged from lack of proper roads, non-availability of water, to lack of access to the club house, lack of boundary wall and unpaid property tax by the developer.

Dombivli: At least 200 residents of the Runwal My city housing complex, located at Diva Manpada road, Dombivli (East), staged a protest on streets outside their complex on Wednesday alleging that the developer has not fulfilled promises made to them during the flat purchases.

Angry residents, who had been raising their grievances with the builder over several emails and meetings for the last four years, took to the streets after their demands were not met. They held placards criticising the developer. Their complaints ranged from lack of proper roads, non-availability of water, to lack of access to the club house, lack of boundary wall and unpaid property tax by the developer.

“I purchased two flats for ₹80 lakh in 2014 with the promise of possession in 2019 in phase I of Runwal My City. The sales executives gave us a glorious view of the project, promising a proposed mall and a hospital, too, in that year. Later, they launched phase II and said that the mall and hospital will come up in a different location. In 2019, they initiated the Runwal Greens project. But no mall or hospital has come up yet,” said Neha Tillu, 35, one of the residents, who participated in the protest.

Tillu said the project does not have a boundary wall. “Apart from these promises, we are not even provided with basic facilities like a good connecting road. There is a concrete road till the Runwal sales office in the complex, but the road further to our building is very bad and develops potholes during every monsoon. The builder had cheated us in all these aspects which we cannot get resolved all these years,” she added.

Residents also claimed the amount paid as advance property tax to the builder was not further paid to the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) and residents have been receiving notices from the civic body to pay the taxes. “There is no clear picture what the builder did to the ₹20,000 each flat paid as advance property tax,” added Tillu.

Another resident, who requested anonymity, said, “The developer had promised in writing in September 2022 to build a boundary wall, but it was never done. This is the case in every demand. Imagine a plush housing complex without a proper boundary wall.

“I shifted here from Dombivli West in 2021 as I wanted to move into a better complex and live a good lifestyle. I now think my old building is better than this big housing project.”

There are a total of 1,200 flats in phase I of Runwal My City housing complex with at least 2500 residents living there, while phase II is partially occupied, according to the residents.

The protest ended with a representative from the developer meeting the residents. “We met a representative of the project after the protest and they have agreed to meet us on March 29 to listen to our grievances. We have also agreed for the meeting,” said Nair.

A spokesperson from Runwal group said, “The Runwal Group has a legacy of over 44 years and has a strong track record of project delivery and customer satisfaction. We stand committed to resolving all genuine grievances of our customers.

“Runwal MyCity is one of our flagship township projects with state-of-the-art amenities and we have already given possessions to over 1,500 families who have been happily residing in the community for over two years now.

“Water supply is being provided by the TMC. Clubhouse maintenance charges haven’t been paid by the society and bus transport provided earlier by us had to be stopped since the committee is unwilling to pay even meagre charges for continuance.

“The society has already been formed two years ago and the registrar has also given directions for the members to take over. Unfortunately, some residents are creating a roadblock for their vested interests. Still, our customer service and facilities team is already engaging with homeowners on an amicable way forward. We have also scheduled a meeting with senior management next week itself”.