Deonar drive: Residents to clear 2.5 acres, get civic amenities

[related-post]

After several discussions with the residents and activists like Medha Patkar of the Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan, the M-East ward officials have promised to stop demolition if residents clear out 2.5 acres of land, which will be converted into a recreation ground.

Though Patkar could not be reached, Bilal Khan, another activist with the campaign, said, “Initially, the BMC had said they needed space to create an access road for the fire engines, but demolished way more huts than was needed.” He said the residents have agreed to vacate the area if the BMC allows them to stay in the remaining two-acre space and provide some basic amenities.

Assistant municipal commissioner of M-East ward, Kiran Dighavkar, stated that the agreement with the residents will allow the BMC’s work to continue. “The residents have agreed to vacate the land so that we can start work on the recreation ground. We will also construct public toilets, a police chowky as well as a BMC chowky near the slum,” Dighavkar said. He added that the residents would also be able to use the recreation ground once it is completed.