Rehabilitated Kukshet locals to get a temple

Kukshet village was shifted to Nerul in 1995 due to pollution from Herdillia Chemical company in the MIDC area. While the villagers were rehabilitated, the ancient temple remained at the old location, something that hurt the villagers much over the years.

Finally, with bhumipoojan for a Shani Mandir being conducted on land given by the government, earlier this week, the villages are happy to get a temple. The state government had acquired and handed over land from farmers to Cidco from 95 villages of Thane, Uran and Panvel talukas for the development of Navi Mumbai.

The original villages were, however, allowed to remain where they were. The MIDC too had acquired land in ThaneBelapur belt and it too decided to allow the villagers to remain where they were.

However, after Herdillia company was established opposite Jui Nagar railway station area, the company asked for the village to be shifted. It filed a petition in the court stating that it wanted to avoid a Bhopal gas tragedy kind of situation.

Following court orders, Kukshet village was shifted in 1995 to Nerul. The village temple remained in its original place.

Every year, during the annual yatra, the villagers would seek special permission from Herdillia Company and visit the temple for darshan. Gaodevi mandir and Gaondevi pond are the unique highlights of every village of the city.

The villagers had long been demanding that a temple be constructed in Kukshet village and the idols of all gods and goddesses be brought to the new temple.

Local corporator Suraj Patil said, “It was a major grievance of the local villagers that we do not have a temple in our area. We were forced to go to the old temple.”

He added, “With land being allotted by the government, a grand temple will be built here. Our wish has been fulfilled after 20 years.”

BACHCHAN KUMAR The construction of a temple at Nerul has started.