Navi Mumbai: In a bold escalation of their ongoing agitation, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has announced a “Dindi Foot March” on Thursday, May 8, from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk in Vashi to the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Thane. The protest is aimed at demanding a reduction in the exorbitant prices of homes allotted under CIDCO’s housing lottery scheme.
Led by MNS spokesperson and Navi Mumbai city president Gajanan Kale, the march will see hundreds of CIDCO lottery allottees, along with their families, walk through the summer heat in a symbolic display of frustration.
The protesters plan to carry traditional drums, flags, and banners, demanding action from the Deputy CM, who they claim has repeatedly postponed meetings and failed to resolve the issue despite earlier promises.
“This is not just a protest. It’s a march of thousands of dreams being crushed under unaffordable housing prices,” said Kale at a press conference in Vashi. “If the government continues to ignore us, this peaceful foot march will be the first of many.”
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Kale accused CIDCO of pricing 291 sq. ft. flats as high as ₹86 lakh in Vashi — a rate he claims is vastly disproportionate compared to MHADA’s pricing in Mumbai suburbs. He criticized both CIDCO officials and political leaders for inaction, despite clear directives from Shinde to pause the sale process until a review is completed.
“If Eknath Shinde fails to respond even after this foot march, our next destination will be the Chief Minister’s official residence at Varsha,” warned Kale.
The foot march is scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. on May 8 from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk, Vashi, and all CIDCO allottees have been urged to participate with their families. MNS has called on Navi Mumbai residents to stand in solidarity and support the cause.
The announcement has set the stage for a significant public demonstration, with MNS determined to keep the pressure on the state leadership until housing prices are brought within reach of the common citizen.
