Project-affected to hold bandh today

Girgaon and Kalbadevi area will observe bandh on Wednesday, March 18, to protest displacement of families due to Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ metro rail project. A rally too has been organised during the first half of the day.

"Those affected residents and shopkeepers as well as who are not getting affected will participate in the 'bandh' organised," said Pandurang Sakpal, Convenor of Chira Bazar, Girgaon, Grant Road Rahuvasi Bachao Kruti Samiti.

There's also a plan to have a 3-km long peaceful rally. It will commence from Princess Street at around 9-9.30 am and will go up to Girgaon-Lamington Road after covering Chira Bazar on Jagannath Sankar Seth Road. The rally will disperse at around 12 noon.

Shiv Sena too has lent support to the 'bandh' organised on Wednesday and it is expected that there will be around 2,000 people participating in the rally.

Therefore, motorists should avoid travelling on Lamington and JSS Roads during the first half of Wednesday.

Till date, there have been several rounds of talks and discussions among Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation officials, affected families and Shiv Sena representatives. However, the locals have been demanding rehabilitation in the same area of their current residence as well as bigger homes. The state authorities have announced rehabilitation of families in the same area as well as providing double the size of the homes.