These properties were leased by MbPT and the tenants fear they will be vacated to make way for development projects.
Nearly 25 associations of more than 2,300 leased properties on Mumbai Port Trust land came together on Monday to form an action committee to seek proper rehabilitation and accommodation. These properties were leased by MbPT and the tenants fear they will be vacated to make way for development projects.
Tenants say they do not mind parting with the land, but should be given appropriate alternate accommodation. These properties, mostly in South Mumbai, are on the eastern front of the city, and tenants fear that under some guise, the MbPT will ask them to evict the plot.
Pervez Cooper, a tenant of Nazir building, located in Ballard Estate, claims that MbPT should take adopt a humane approach towards them. "I am a victim, ours was the first building that was affected. We are saying that we should be given proper accommodation. Let the development work carry on as is, we aren't against it. But, we, the residents of Colaba, should be given a proper alternative to reside at by the government," he said.
On Monday, the representatives of resident associations and commercial associations met at the Radio Club. Rajeev Khandelwal, president of the Darukhana Iron Steel and Scrap Merchants Association said, "Today we invited 25 group associations, who are affected by the MbPT. Our aim is not destructive, instead we support development. We all are tenants; both residential and commercial outlets are present on the land leased by MbPT. We are only asking the government to not render us homeless. MbPT should provide appropriate alternatives; we are willing to pay the rent and cooperate with them, too."
MbPT had leased these lands for a stipulated period of time. In an earlier conversation with DNA, a senior MbPT official said no one is vacated from the land without being heard properly. Only in cases of violations of the lease, action is taken against the tenants.
The umbrella body of MbPT action committee will be the one that will now negotiate with the MbPT on this issue. Some even allege that the trust has stopped accepting rent or is not renewing the lease on purpose.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Marine Drive")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}