Project-hit residents of Diva protest rehab

THANE: Residents, affected by the road-widening project near Diva railwaystation, protestedonFriday. The civic body has announced to rehabilitate the project- affected people to another area in Diva. But, the residents do not want to shift to another area. They are demanding space at the same place near station area.

Around 350 families will be affected by the project.

“Thane Municipal Corporation has begun the road-widening project and will shift residents to Padale village which is around12kmsfromDivastation. We want to live in the same area. Weformedahumanchaintoprotest against the civic body’s decision,” said Archana Patil, 32, a resident from Diva station road.

The residents held hands and formedachainfromDivastation road till Chandrangan tower in Diva (East), which is around 500 metres away.

“The civic body should first take action against builders who have constructed on the plot which comes under Development Plan of TMC,” said Aadesh

Bhagat, a local resident and activist from Bharatiya Janata Party.

The civic officials said residents cannot be rehabilitated in the same area as the Diva station road comes under Development Plan. “The road widening has to be carried out at the same spot to construct Diva road overbridge. ThesamespotcomesunderDPof TMC and has been encroached by several buildings. Around four months ago, residents got notice to vacate their homes. They will be shifted to Padale village near Diva,” said a senior official from TMC.

Residents protest outside Diva railway station. PRAFUL GANGURDE/HT