Mumbai: The residents of Ghatkopar (W)’s Chirag Nagar fear that they will be rehabilitated outside the locality to make way for Annabhau Sathe Memorial. Amid this uncertainty, Nationalist Congress Party (SP)’s minority wing chairman has requested the chief minister for an inclusive rehabilitation of the residents.
Lottery for 62 PAP Units Postponed Amid Residents’ Objections
On July 29, The Free Press Journal reported that the lottery to rehabilitate 62 PAP to make way for Rs 305 crore Sahityaratna Lokshahir Anna Bhau Sathe Research and Training Institute in Ghatkopar (W) has been postponed after residents urged the slum rehabilitation authority (SRA) to provide clarity on the process.
While SRA has already served final notices to the residents asking them to vacate their residences, around 220 families remain in dark about the rehabilitation scheme.
Talking to FPJ, an SRA official had said that the first phase lottery for 62 units will be rehabilitated at a PAP unit available around 200 mtr behind Azad Nagar. The residents expressed displeasure over being relocated to Azad Nagar claiming that it is in bad shape.
NCP (SP) Leader Urges CM for Inclusive In-Situ Rehabilitation
The chairman of NCP (SP)’s minority wing Suhel Khalil Subedar had sought CM Devendra Fadnavis’ intervention and demanded that the memorial project should be shifted to Mumbai University’s Kalina campus or Mandala village.
In another letter to the CM on Thursday, Subedar expressed concerns regarding SRA’s indication to rehabilitate the residents outside the locality. Calling the act as unacceptable to the community, he claimed that it is causing distress, fear, and unrest among the community.
Subedar urged that all the affected residents should be rehabilitated in one comprehensive in-situ rehabilitation project. He stated that including all occupants in’s a unified, well-planned and dignified rehabilitation scheme within the same locality will preserve the community’s fabric and would respect its long-standing ties to the area.
He also urged that the complete plan, layout and terms of the project should be shared with the residents, claiming that the lack of clarity has led to uncertainty and confusion.
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Community Stresses Long-Standing Ties to Private Land
“These families have been residing on private land belonging to the Porbunderwala family for over 70 years, regularly paying rent. They are lawful tenants, not encroachers, and form an established and peaceful community with deep roots in the locality. This project can be transformed into a model of inclusive development that upholds the legacy of Annabhay Sathe while ensuring justice to the people of Chirag Nagar,” read the letter.
