Keep away, MHADA society hoarding tells politicians

Some residents of Bandra-east have put up a big hoarding outside their society asking politicians not to bother entering the premises to seek votes. They are cut up because they feel both the sitting MP and MLA (from the ruling party and the opposition) have been indifferent to the touchy issue of redevelopment of their decades-old building.

The hoarding reads: 'Please pardon us. If no one is for us, we are also for no one. The government offers protection to illegal slum-dwellers and gives them free houses for no money. And we, legal tenants, who have been paying taxes since decades, are deprived of our rightful 485 sq ft and forced to accept 300 sq ft area. We publicly condemn the ruling parties, who have done this injustice to us, and the opposition, who have mutely supported this by not opposing it. Rather than electing such leaders with our valuable votes, we would choose the option of 'None Of The Above' (NOTA). So, the candidates coming here to meet us, attempting to take advantage of our situation, are not welcome'.

According to the residents, illegal slums were increasing and politicians were protecting them. "The slum-dwellers, who do not pay taxes or water bills as they have illegal connections, are given the benefit of 270 sq ft (in redevelopment). On other hand, MHADA recently changed its policy and put an area cap of 300 sq ft," said Lalit Shinde, chairman of Swa-Sadan, building 28 in Khernagar, Bandra-east. "This means we, who have been tenants for over 60 years, will get only 300 sq ft if we go for redevelopment. This policy will help developers gobble up extra area in prime plots in connivance with MHADA. This is hampering the interest of middle class residents," said Sandeep Shetty, a member of the society.

Residents in the area and passers-by are appreciating the hoarding, and many people affected by the MHADA policy have now decided to put up similar hoardings outside their buildings. "This is the situation faced by people living in 56 such MHADA colonies across the city. In Bandra-east itself, more than 2.5 lakh people have been affected. The policy has affected several redevelopment projects which have been stuck for several years," said Bharat Jain, another society member.

Madhuri Patankar, a resident in the area, said buildings were dilapidated and water supply contaminated, but developers were having their way. How does the government expect its low-cost housing policy for the middle class to succeed in such a scenario?" she asked.