It took six days and a mid-day report highlighting the hypocrisy of politicians, who left the victims of the Indira Nagar pipeline burst to deal with the aftermath on their own
The spot where the two children were found drowned
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It took six days and a mid-day report highlighting the hypocrisy of politicians, who left the victims of the Indira Nagar pipeline burst to deal with the aftermath on their own, but Shiv Sena and Congress leaders have finally demanded compensation and medical aid for the slumdwellers.
The pipeline burst led to the death of two children
On Wednesday, leader of the house and Sena corporator Yashwant Jadhav and leader of the opposition, Ravi Raja, raised the issue in the Standing Committee meeting of BMC. Jadhav said, "The BMC has lost its humanity, as they have not even thought of helping the victims of the pipeline tragedy. They (Indira Nagar residents) lost everything and two children have lost their lives. Several huts were damaged and they are now forced to live on roads," adding, "The verification of the huts’ legality can be done any time, but what was necessary was to provide the affected people immediate relief like medical assistant and financial help. After all, the BMC’s water pipeline is responsible for the tragedy."
Echoing similar sentiments, Raja has demanded R5 lakh compensation for each of the deceased. "The BMC should give compensation to the family of the two children. After the incident, I have written a letter to the municipal commissioner to provide financial assistance to the victims the same way they do for tree fall victims."
He added, "In this case also, the civic body should prepare a policy to compensate the people affected by such incidents."
Action finally?
Following the demands, Standing Committee chairman Ramesh Korgaonkar has directed the administration to provide immediate relief to residents.
Angry residents had alleged that there has been no help provided by anybody and they are left to die after the destruction. At the time, Santosh Doiphode, whose two children perished, said, "There is no help from anyone. Not a single politician turned up for support. We are living in darkness. I don’t have money to even treat my mother-in-law. I lost my two children and belongings." Meanwhile, some local groups have come forward to help by providing food.
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