The consultant, M S Limaye, has stated that repairs can be undertaken without the residents having to vacate. Also, he says, since the founding strata is solid rock, the building's foundation is not likely to cave in. The passageway had caved in, he explains, as the ground floor slab rests on soil which had been loosened by large rats. However, since the slab is independent of the structure per se, there is no threat of further damage, he adds. Besides, water pouring down from the hill behind the building may have also washed out the soil from beneath the slab.

The building's maintenance, however, has drawn sharpcriticism, with Limaye noting that the building's columns bear large cracks, some of them extending quite deep. The bottom reinforcement of the slab is exposed in several places, he says, advising immediate repairs to avoid corrosion.

The residents have, meanwhile, decided not to move court against MHADA for the time being. Secretary of the Maniyar Residents' Building Chawl Association Parshuram Karande told Express Newsline that they will resort to litigation if MHADA issues a warning to vacate. They have already been served notices to this effect.

Residents claim that MHADA officials, who visited the building on Friday, are convinced that the building need not be vacated for repairs. However, this has not been communicated to them officially. S S Vengurlikar, deputy chief engineer with MHADA's Mumbai Repairs and Reconstruction Board also visited the building on Friday and will decide on the nature of repairs.