"I had a place in mind to relocate them. It's an area which will take at least 10 years to develop. On assigning the land officially, a decade later, if the need arises to move them out again, then these people will have official rehabilitation papers as defence," Rathod explains his not taking the risk.

"If they remain here, there's still some hope they will be asked to vacate the road. It's illegal." But then how does Rathod explain permanent water and electricity connections? "I have been here for just six months," he saysunconvincingly.

Initially, Goregaon comprised neatly-planned colonies of Jawahar Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Mahesh Nagar, Sunder Nagar and Motilal Nagar. Four decades down the line, many a dream to revive its originality has been shattered by the corporation's negligence. Illegal construction in MHADA colonies of Motilal Nagar I and Motilal Nagar II, for instance, is at its peak. It looks like urban village. And there's no check whatsoever. Residents allege that the corporation charges Rs 1-2 lakh if you want to utilise whatever space is available. MHADA has leased this land, collects rent and also has a demolition squad for illegal constructions, the Ward Office informed. "We carry out demolitions only if there's a complaint," says Ward Officer G P Rathod. "No. The corporation demolishes structures of only those who refuse to pay," alleges a resident. And why isn't MHADA anywhere in the picture? Well, the local officials were not available for comments.