It was 6 am on November 4 last year when Mahesh Satpute, 32, a resident of 1408, Kasba Peth — along with his parents — fell from the second floor of their residence as the slab they were sleeping on collapsed. Rushed to a nearby hospital by his friends, Satpute survived, but severe injuries destroyed this four-time national volleyball player’s sports career, leaving the family homeless.

With 50 per cent of its population — around 1.5 lakh residents — staying in 3,000 to 4,000 wadas, each 100-150 years old, wadas are the biggest votebank in the Kasba Peth constituency. Issues related to old wadas have been the top priority on election agenda of all the parties contesting from here for the past 25 years.

“These wadas, within 0- 50 meters distance from Shaniwar wada, cannot be touched up or renovated as per norms laid down by the heritage committee, which say that those wadas between 50 and 100 meters cannot be more then 10 meters tall. Those beyond 100 meters can be constructed as well as repaired but there are complications, such as- owner tenant disputes, lack of space for reconstruction, paucity of funds and so on,” said Umesh Kulkarni, who was left homeless after the Wada-Mote Mangal Karyalay collapsed.

“Solving disputes between the owners and tenants here will be our prime focus. Following up with the Wada Mahamandal and taking steps to ensure that tenants get economically viable, good options to stay while wada owners get a better price for their places will be part of our agenda,” said Girish Bapat of the BJP, who has been the MLA for the past 15 years.

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