Mumbai Port Trust occupants to file PIL, save homes

Residents of the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) are planning to file a public interest litigation (PIL) to ensure that they are not thrown out of their premises, and have a more secure future. The occupants have been staring at an uncertain future ever since eviction notices have been served to some of the residents and some premises have been sealed on allegations of misuse.

"We are meeting this Sunday to discuss modalities of filing a PIL for all of us. We are looking to form an association and also get it registered. We want to talk to our colleagues about creating awareness on the issue so that people know such a problem exists," said Pervez Cooper, a MbPT occupant who lives in Colaba. Cooper said that they are planning to involve different stakeholders from Colaba to Wadala — the entire eastern seafront where MbPT owns lands.

"A number of people who have not been served with eviction notice feel they are safe. They may be served one anytime and it may be too late. We have been trying to meet political leaders but there is nothing concrete that we get to know, " said Preeti Shenoy, another occupant.