No MMRDA plan to redevelop its colonies despite damage complaints
Residents of the nine-yearold cluster of 70 buildings constructed for Project Affected People (PAP) have repeatedly complained of structural damages and dilapidated conditions.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) has failed to maintain these structures and officials say they do not feel the need to redevelop these structures. Instead they want to focus on minor repairs like water leakages and choking of drains.
Speaking to Free Press Journal, UPS Madan, Metropolitan Commissioner, said, “We have spent more than half (over Rs 25 crore) of the allocated funds on colonies in the past four years. Most of the complaints that come from the colonies are of inadequate water supply. We have discovered that there is a high number of water leakage cases in the colonies. These colonies need repairs and not redevelopment in particular.”
Occupants have repeatedly complained of inadequate water supply, poorly maintained toilets and dilapidated structures. According to the residents, several people openly defecate in the open giving rise to health hazards in the vicinity since most of the toilets have no doors.
They allege that the officials concerned with the maintenance of their structures have turned a blind eye to their miseries. Pramod Kathe, resident of MMRDA colony at Mankhurd, said, “These structures were built a decade ago but they look like they are 50-60 years old. The authorities should understand the buildings’ vulnerability too. The water supply here is not only insufficient but also contaminated. We are not financially strong to buy another house because of which we cannot leave this place.”
Activists have visited the 32 rehabilitation colonies of MMRDA across the city. Sulaiman Bhimani, activist, said that after he repeatedly complained to the officials about lack of access to sanitation, the authorities began constructing a toilet in one of their colonies.
“I had written to the officials concerned from social development cell complaining about the bad condition of toilets. The authorities then allocated Rs 9 crore to reconstruct these toilets of which more than Rs 6 crore has been utilised. However, there is no improvement in the quality of the structure.”
The authority has apportioned Rs 50 crore towards resettlement and rehabilitation colonies for families affected by its projects. Amenities like community centre, healthcare centre, vegetable counter and working shed for PAPs have been earmarked in the projects.
Occupants have repeatedly complained of inadequate water supply, poorly maintained toilets and dilapidated structures. According to the residents, several people openly defecate in the open giving rise to health hazards in the vicinity since most of the toilets have no doors