Squatters under Sion flyover irk locals

The newly-constructed Sion flyover by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is playing host to some new inhabitants: slum dwellers and drug peddlers. Local residents who see this as a nuisance, have approached the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to protect the space by converting the area either into a pay-and-park or a garden.

The Flank Road Citizens’ Forum has written a letter to the BMC and MMRDA, requesting that encroachments under Sion flyover be cleared immediately. However, their demand has fallen on deaf ears. GR Vora, Sion resident and member of the Flank Road Citizens’ Forum, said, “The space below the flyover is being misused by beggars, slum dwellers and drug peddlers, especially during night time. It is creating unhygienic conditions and posing a security hazard to pedestrians who walk past this area. If this flyover remains unprotected for long, then very soon, a proper slum colony will be formed here,” Vora added.

“We are constantly interacting with local civic officials to ensure that the space below the flyover does not get encroached upon. This area does not have adequate car parking. Creating a pay-and-park here will offer us great relief and will stop unauthorised parking. It will also help the BMC earn some revenue,” Vora said.

In the letter submitted by the citizens’ forum, the area below King Circle flyover has been cited as an example pointing to negligence on the part of civic and MMRDA officials. Now inhabited by slum dwellers who have set up their home there, the area has been ignored despite repeated complaints, and no action has been taken by either by the BMC or the police. “We tried to get authentic information under the Right to Information Act about the status of the space. But did not get anything so far. We fear that this space may be used by anti-social elements. Petty thefts have already increased in our area,” the letter states.

Citizens are demanding that the authority not construct any office space below the flyover. “MMRDA should hand over the space to the BMC soon and while developing it, the corporation should consult with us,” said Vora.  Senior civic officials said that the MMRDA has yet to hand over the space below the flyover to them. “Once we get the space, a decision will be taken about making it a garden or a pay-and-park,” he said. The MMRDA spokesperson was not available for comment.