10 years later, 269 families await permanent homes
People are reluctant to give up their lands or properties for any public project as the records show that, in Maharashtra, project affected people languish in temporary transit colonies. In yet another case that can shame the authorities, around 269 families have been denied a permanent home and have been forced to reside in transit camp buildings near Ram Mandir station for the past 10 years.
The rehabilitation colony is one of the 32 colonies that belongs to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
According to a complaint filed by Sulaiman Bhimani, president of Citizens Justice Forum, with the Economic Offence Wing, the developer, Skyline Construction Company, was supposed to rehabilitate the 269 families to a sale component building for which he received additional Floor Space Index (FSI). Bhimani added that no action has been taken against the builder by the EOW.
Speaking to FPJ, Bhimani said the developer had submitted an undertaking saying he will be responsible of relocating the families to a permanent structure.
“The occupants were rehabilitated to these structures in 2007. Since then, they are living in dire conditions with the structures in dilapidated condition and lack of access to sanitation, whereas, the developer has constructed a plush tower beside the colony.
“He has still not relocated the occupants despite complaining to the MMRDA.”
The developer has not only violated the norms but has also carried out poor quality of work as the structures are in a dilapidated condition within 10 years of construction. Anant Chavan, one of the residents of the colonies, said, “The authorities have turned a blind eye to our problems. They have not even declared these structures as dangerous. The structures will prolong for long as the monsoon is just 15 days away.”
MMRDA has spent almost Rs 9 crore in repairing the substandard work like up upgrading of toilets in the colonies. Bhimani added that despite noticing the poor quality of work, Transfer of Development Rights was released and MMRDA has not even recovered any amount from the developer and that the MMRDA officials have accepted the substandard work without any verification.