Mumbai : Against the backdrop of monsoon, the issue of residents living under the roof has come up again. There are about 20,000 to 22,000 huts in various places in Mumbai. The government and the municipality do not take any concrete measures other than issuing eviction notices to the residents before the rains every year. Even this year, in the face of rains, the municipality has issued notices to the residents of Bhandup, Vikhroli and Powai to evacuate to safer places.
According to information obtained by RTI activist Anil Galgali from Municipal Corporation, MHADA, 327 places in 25 out of 36 Assembly constituencies in Mumbai are under flood and 257 places in hilly areas have been declared as dangerous. There are 22 thousand 483 families in this area, out of which 9 thousand 657 families have been recommended for relocation by the Mumbai Slum Improvement Board. It was proposed to protect the remaining huts by enclosing them around the hills. In almost all of them, protective walls have been erected. However, Galgali said the solution was to move the citizens to a permanent safe place rather than protective walls.
- … So the corporation is not responsible
As a precautionary measure before the monsoon, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation has issued notices to the people living near the houses to evacuate. The corporation has stated that it is not responsible for any accident during this rainy season. Bhandup, Vikhroli or ‘S’ division of Vikhroli Suryanagar, Powai Indiranagar, Gautam Nagar, Paspoli, Jaybhim Nagar, Gautamgar; Also Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar Part 1 & 2 at Bhandup West, Nardas Nagar, Gaondevi Hill, Gavdevi Marg, Tembhipada, Rawate Compound, Khindipada, Ramnagar, Hanuman Nagar, Ashok Hill, Mango Filling, Duckline Road, Navjivan Society, Tanaji Wadi, Dargah Road Landslide is also likely to cause houses to collapse on the hillside of Khadan Vishwashanti Society, a warning has been issued. Residents should relocate to safer places on their own. It has been warned that the municipal administration will not be held responsible for any accident or loss of life or property due to natural calamity.
The Mumbai Slum Improvement Board had in 2010 recommended a comprehensive survey of the slum dwellers. The then Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had ordered to prepare an action plan. However, even after 12 years, the Urban Development Department has not yet implemented it. 300 crore on defense wall to date. With this amount of money, it was possible to rehabilitate these residents, said RTI activist Anil Galgali. Last year, more than 30 people were killed in landslides at Bharat Nagar in Chembur and Suryanagar in Vikhroli. Even after that, the eyes of government agencies have not been opened.
- Ignoring IIT instructions?
In 2010, a report was prepared by Mumbai IIT on slums under slums and submitted to MHADA’s Slum Improvement Board. According to the report, a protective wall up to 9 meters high was suggested. It was decided to take permanent measures on the lines of Konkan Railway at a height of more than 9 meters. The IIT had suggested a fund of Rs 45 crore 571 lakh 31 thousand for various technical measures. But instead of rehabilitating residents by relocating them, protective walls are being built as an alternative. As these walls are also of inferior quality, it is found that crores of rupees are being spent on rebuilding them.
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