Rents in Ulhasnagar up 30-50%

While 500 people from 100 families have become homeless in Ulhasnagar because of the collapse of Mahak Apartments and the evacuation of three adjoining buildings, landlords seem to be bent on cashing in on their misery. Just in a day, rents in the township have gone up 30-50% as the homeless families desperately search for shelter. As of now, in the absence of transit camps, most are living with relatives or at places of worship. Ulhasnagar's mayor, Pancham Kalani, has appealed to people not to hike rents and to help the affected people. The collapse of Mahak Building has once again raised the issue of dangerous buildings in Ulhasnagar, where in the last 10 years, a total of 38 buildings have either crashed or been sealed because of their dangerous condition. Over 5,000 people have been rendered homeless in the process.