Mumbai: 200 Mulund residents gather to rev up protest against Dharavi PAP

Residents of Mulund East at the meeting on Sunday

The residents of Mulund East held a meeting against the project-affected people (PAP) initiative for the Dharavi rehabilitation project on Sunday morning at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maidan. Citizens say they have decided to intensify their agitation against the project.

According to Mayura Banavali, a resident of Mulund East present in the meeting, around 150-200 residents were present at the meeting. Those present raised their voices against the project. "We have decided to make our voice louder against the BMC and state government's decision. We are considering various agitations like forming human chains to show our opposition to the projects," he said.

Every citizen of Mulund is still not aware of the upcoming projects and we have decided to create awareness among the citizens, said Sushant Barve. "I've been living in Mulund for the last 50 years. The traffic situation then and now is different. There is only one road to reach the highway from the railway station, which is always flooded with traffic. If the area saw a sudden rise in population, the situation would become more difficult," he said.

Another resident said if the population of Mulund West rises by 3-4 lakh suddenly, the BMC ward wouldn't be able to handle the infrastructure needed. "The Road from the railway station to the highway is always flooded with traffic. Think, if 3-4 lakh people suddenly started using the road, which is currently being used by 1.5 lakh people, what will happen? Is the BMC, state government, thinking about this?"

The BMC has decided to develop a housing colony for around 7,000 project-affected families in Mulund. The state housing department has written a letter to BMC authorities and asked to hand over 64 acres of land located in Mulund East to the Dharavi Redevelopment Authority (DRA). The DRA will develop a rental housing colony for residents of Dharavi who are not eligible for redevelopment. A total of 18 acres of land comes under the octroi naka while the remainder is part of the dumping ground which is now closed.

In February the residents plan to form a human chain on the eastern expressway to oppose the projects. Protesting locals plan to create public awareness before the demonstration. "If the decision is not cancelled even after that, boycotting the elections will be considered," said Advocate Sagar Devre.

The BMC has decided to develop a housing colony for around 7,000 project-affected families in Mulund. The state housing department has written a letter to BMC authorities and asked to hand over 64 acres of land located in Mulund East to the Dharavi Redevelopment Authority (DRA). The DRA will develop a rental housing colony for around 3-4 lakh residents of Dharavi who are not eligible for redevelopment. A total of 18 acres of land comes under the octroi naka while the remainder is part of the dumping ground which is now closed.

7,000
Approx. no. of families BMC plans to move to Mulund