Residents of Danilimda write letters to express opposition to town planning scheme 38-1
Unhappy with the Danilimda Town Planning (TP) Scheme 38-1, being prepared by the Urban Development Department, local leaders and residents have written letters of opposition and asked the minister to consider their suggestions as well. According to the proposed plan, some 3,000 houses will have to be demolished to implement the scheme, rendering around 15,000 people homeless.
Ironically, some of the current residents were previously relocated here after their homes were razed to implement the town plans of their respective areas.
"I have been living here for the last 15 years after my previous house was evacuated by the government for the implementation of the Sarangpur area town plan. Now, I have a grocery shop here, that too, will be demolished," said Mayyum Khan, one of the Danilimda residents.
Another resident, Shakir Ahmed, said that in 2014, they had received a notice regarding the development. "The notice had a map of the area and stated that objections can be sent within seven days. At the time, they had also directed that the houses be evacuated within 10 days. More than 3,000 houses got this notice," said Ahmed, adding, "We have been fighting this since then and written to the local authority and the concerned ministers. However, our pleas have fallen on deaf ears."
Meanwhile, local councillors and MLA have gotten into the action before the scheme gets a final nod, and are making a last ditch effort to modify it. "If the government plans to approve the scheme that will directly affect more than 15,000 people, they must have some say in the planning of that area. Currently, the road widening and alignment endangers around 3,000 houses," said Kamla Chavda, one of the councillors of the ward.
"We are meeting the locals on a daily basis and know their demands and needs. The TP must also envisage future needs of the locals," said Chavda.
Demographically, the area largely has a Muslim population, most of them daily labourers. According to the former leader of opposition, Badruddin Shaikh, the plan does not factor in the existing roads or provide with basic utilities."Usually, when a TP scheme is drafted, the development is planned keeping in mind the existing roads. We are demanding the same, and we also need a school, community hall, water tank and play ground," said Shaikh.
However, despite repeated attempts, Mukesh Puri, Principal Secretary, Urban Development & Urban Housing Department, remained unavailable to comment.
A TOWN IN TROUBLE
- Total residents 75,000
- Affected homes 3,000
- People affected 15,000
RESIDENTS DEMAND
- Civic school
- Community hall
- Water tank
- Playground
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