Plan afoot to improve lot of SRA colonies

The new metropolitan commissioner of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Rahul Asthana has decided to chalk out an “exit plan” to improve conditions in resettlement colonies following complaints coming from Project Affected People (PAPs).

Asthana on Wednesday said that the authority has always been committed to provide better infrastructure to these 23 colonies across the BMC area. “Though it is a fact that the final onus lies with the residents who mainly come to stay in these colonies from slum areas, we will definitely prepare an “exit plan” for improving the infrastructure in some of the colonies,” said Asthana. He said that the exit plan will be implemented before the colonies are finally handed over to the BMC.

RTI activist and a PAP from MMRDA’s Oshiwara colony, Sulaiman Bhimani has claimed that the developer who constructed the colony failed to provide even basic infrastructure such as street lights and sewerage lines. In addition, Bhimani, the developer allegedly used the adjoining plot in Oshiwara (where the MMRDA is the special planning authority) for many irregularities. When asked about the case, Asthana said the issue is being followed up and the authority will be taking stern action against such cases.