Will ensure justice to slum dwellers on railway land: MoS Raosaheb Danve

Raosaheb Danve met a delegation of MPs and MLAs regarding the issue

Minister of state for Railways Raosaheb Danve on Thursday said slum dwellers along railway lines would be given justice within the framework of law, and that he had taken up the issue with the state government, since rehabilitation came under its purview.

He was speaking after a delegation of MPs and MLAs demanded that people should not be relocated unless they were given alternative accommodation. "It would be improper to evict them without rehabilitation and we are discussing with the state government what can be done within the framework of law on the Supreme Court order of eviction," Danve said.

As reported by mid-day last month, slum dwellers were slapped eviction notices to clear railway land. In Mumbai division of the Central and Western Railway, there are around 25,000 unauthorised structures on railway land, occupying nearly 57 hectares, including in the safety zone and where future expansion projects are planned.

A file picture of hutments near the railway tracks between Borivli and Dahisar. Pic/Nimesh Dave

As per official details, on the CR, around 13,839 illegal structures occupy 37.29 hectares and on WR, the number of illegal structures stand at 10,572. "The railways and state government should co-ordinate and resolve the issue amicably. There are so many people involved and the mega eviction should not render people homeless," Member of Parliament from Mumbai South Central, Rahul Shewale, told mid-day.

"On December 17, 2021, the Supreme Court pointed out that Estate Officers are not taking action in earnest at the earliest opportunity. Railway Police Force services can be utilised to safeguard railway property, wherever it is situated. Railways should initiate civil/criminal action against unauthorised occupants of the railway property immediately after it is brought to the notice of the concerned officials.

Further, railways must initiate appropriate action against the officials of the concerned establishment for allowing and tolerating encroachment, and for not taking corrective action for the removal of encroachments. The status report of the action taken by the Railway is to be furnished to this court before the next date (January 28, 2022)," a note by Railway Board member (infrastructure) Sanjeev Mittal said, after which railways will begin action.

13,839
No. of illegal structures on CR in Mumbai division