A civil engineer by training, daughter and architect Anupama says, “my father enjoyed sharing his knowledge.” Bapat wrote frequently for engineering and construction journals, and provided consultancy services to housing societies in Mumbai’s suburbs guiding them on how to ascertain repairs, carry out structural audits, and put out formal tenders for the job, she says.

Bala Shetty of Andheri’s 38-year-old Bima Nagar, which used Bapat’s services in 2004, remembers him as very cordial, and a good listener and negotiator.

“He guided us through the bidding process, advised us on appointing contractors after a thorough assessment. He did systematic follow-ups of each of the 188 flats, and explained maintenance issues to all residents. He was 60, but still climbed four floors to the terrace to supervise work several times! Of the 6 of the 11 buildings that he worked on, there isn’t a single complaint till date.”

Easygoing, jovial, and a theatre enthusiast, Bapat was also on the board of two local education trusts, and delivered engineering lectures in his spare time at city architectural colleges.

At NTC, they haven’t yet hired his replacement. “I haven’t filled his post yet,” says Pillai, “and I don’t think we can, because he is irreplaceable.”