85,000 hutments around Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport will be demolished, but residents say they have no clue about rehabilitation plans
85,000 hutments around Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport will be demolished, but residents say they have no clue about rehabilitation plans
Over 10,000 Sahar village residents came out on Saturday at 7.30pm for a candlelit procession.
But it had nothing to do with the Batti Bandh campaign. “It is a desperate attempt to make ourselves heard. Religious heads and political leaders have joined us too. We refuse to leave our homes without some answers,” said Nicholas Almeida, ex-councillor, Sahar Village.
About 276 acres around the airport, currently occupied by slums, will be cleared to extend the runway and construct other facilities.
But rehabilitation is yet to be announced. In February, many huts were sent acquisition notices. The group started the procession from Sahar bus stop and gathered at the Sahar Jain Mandir Ground to burn the acquisition notices.
“We have been living here for more than 50 years. We cannot leave without knowing what the government has in store for us,” said resident Mohd Shafiq Qureshi.
He claimed residents have repeatedly written to the MMRDA, MIAL, MHADA and local MLAs, but in vain.
“We are willing to give up more than half our land for the airport, but the remaining should be left to residents. We will not relocate,” said activist Ramdas Kalambe.
When contacted, Congress MLA Kripa Shankar Singh said: “We haven’t been notified of any demolition. If it is to happen, I insist people stay put.”
The Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) is determined to go ahead with its plans. Spokesperson Manish Kalghatgi said:
“Demolition is inevitable. The airport will be mordernised with new air side facilities and 276 acres are required. We are discussing rehabilitation plans, and it will happen in stages over the next four years. We are in the process of finalising the land for relocation and it will soon be announced.”
r_radhika@dnaindia.net
){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}
){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}