Residents of UK Iridium, a premium housing complex in Kandivli’s Lokhandwala area, have accused their developer of neglect and mismanagement, claiming they are paying lakhs in maintenance fees for basic facilities that barely function. The complaints include contaminated water, a non-functional sewage treatment plant (STP), lack of security, and inadequate housekeeping.
Frustrated after months of broken promises, the residents have now filed a police complaint against the developer at the Samta Nagar police station. A copy of the complaint is with mid-day. “We are paying for nothing,” said resident Sameer Naik.
Residents claim they have paid maintenance charges of Rs 3.17 lakh for 1BHKs and Rs 3.54 lakh for 2BHKs for the year October 2024–October 2025. Yet, they say, the water system barely works. “Out of four water tanks, only one is functional. We get water for just 10-15 minutes a day, not enough for basic needs,” said resident Shalaka Kulkarni.
The residents also alleged that the sewage drain water has been entering the water tank, which has water for domestic purposes such as drinking, bathing and in the kitchen. “Everyone has a filter at home. But how long will our filters be fit enough to continuously keep filtering such drain water, that too at a level where we can consume it,” said Ramesh Lad, another resident.
Fire and safety violations
Residents also allege that the building’s fire safety norms have been ignored. “The fire duct is filled with cement bags and debris. Staircases meant for rescue during emergencies are locked. Fire compliance hasn’t been completed,” said Vishal Kapur, another resident.
‘Forced possession’
According to residents, the builder allegedly rushed them to take possession after his RERA extension expired. “Possessions were forced between October 2023 and July 2024, but he collected maintenance for the full year from October 2024 to 2025,” said Naik. “He’s now demanding payment for another year and threatening to stop housekeeping services, which is, anyway, just one person collecting garbage.”
Ongoing construction in other wings has worsened conditions. “There’s mosquito breeding and stagnant water everywhere. The BMC has been sprayed twice, but daily cleaning doesn’t happen. This was supposed to be our dream home, now it’s become a daily battle for dignity,” said another resident.
Amenities only on paper
While the residents state that the maintenance included the cost for amenities such as swimming pool, gym charges, parking and a garden, none of these have been provided yet by the builder. “We took possession by trusting the builder`s word. We considered that since part OC is obtained, full OC won`t be a problem. And so we paid for advanced maintenance. We also raised our complaints multiple times with the builder. But everything went in vain. Forget about external luxurious amenities. We are deprived of basic facilities as well. We just don`t know why we take home loans and put in all our hard-earned money into such a project,” said Lad.
Police complaint filed
With repeated appeals to the builder failing, the residents collectively filed a complaint with Samta Nagar police, citing contaminated water, non-functional STP, incomplete amenities, lack of maintenance, and unauthorised fee collection. “We had no choice left. This isn’t just about broken promises — it’s negligence affecting hundreds of families,” said Naik.
Builder’s response
Denying all allegations, the developer in question, Damodar Suruchi, told mid-day, “All allegations are false. I had taken advanced maintenance for a year, and it has ended. The residents are not ready to take over the society due to their internal issues. If they want me to maintain the building ahead, they will obviously have to pay maintenance charges. In fact, yesterday, as they stopped my vehicles and barged inside the sales office, I have only filed a police complaint against the residents. I have given all basic facilities in the last year for which I had taken maintenance. The STPs were functional. It`s only since the last three to four days that the water pumps aren`t operational because of which the STPs are shut. I have also been following up continuously and telling them that money will have to be contributed by the residents to get the pumps repaired. Even the allegations regarding fire safety are false, and the two wings where possession has been given have had full OC for over a year.”
