Cuffe Parade slums razed

MUMBAI, May 22: Working at a punishing pace, Ambedkar Nagar slums at Cuffe Parade faced its 43rd demolition to make way for a helipad. Follo...

MUMBAI, May 22: Working at a punishing pace, Ambedkar Nagar slums at Cuffe Parade faced its 43rd demolition to make way for a helipad. Following the Collector8217;s orders, the demolition squad razed every upright structure in sight since Monday.

While the Collector was following the government8217;s orders, the action has sparked strong opposition once again against the decade-old proposal to lay a helipad on the sprawling area, currently home to around 1100 families of slum-dwellers.

Colaba-Cuffe Parade Residents8217; Association, a powerful body with membership in virtually every building in this concrete jungle, has been persistently opposed to the project and have vowed to attack the project tooth-and-nail.

The Association president, Dr Navin Kumar, recalled that the Sharad Pawar government had to shelve the project due to local residents8217; opposition. 8220;If the project is meant for VIP movement, then presently several of them land at INS Kunjali. The concept is ridiculous. Look at it in terms of theenvironmental degradation, noise and traffic-related pollution. High-rise structures already have enough of problems with echoing. The landings and take-offs will add to the cacophony.8221;

A delegation will meet Murli Deora MP with a plea to look into the matter. They have not ruled out going to court.

The frequent demolitions have been disrupting the lives of the slumdwellers. Pyarelal Thakur, who is employed as a driver said, 8220;They were heartless and did not give us time to remove our things. Whoever came in the way were lathi-charged. With no roof over our heads the heat is killing us.8221;

The brunt of the demolitions is being borne mainly by children. Three are reportedly hospitalised while several others showed symptoms of heat stroke. Munniamma, whose nine-month-old daughter was burning with fever, holding back her tears said, 8220;There is no place to even keep the baby down.8221;

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Rangappa, a mason, said that he has not gone to work since the demolition. 8220;Do we look after our belongings or go to work?The demolition squads destroyed two of the three water tanks that provide the slum dwellers with their water requirements,8221; he informed.

Meanwhile, the local Congress MLA Ashok Dhatrak who sat on a hunger-strike today, criticised the government. 8220;If they can use the slumdwellers8217; votes, then why deprive them facilities like toilet, water, electricity? Some of them have been staying here for five to six generations.8221;

Corporator Puran Doshi who flew in8217; from the cool climes of Nainital, added, 8220;With a Sena minister in charge of the environment portfolio, the state government will try to push the project through.8221;

Despite several attempts, Collector Sanjay Chahande and Additional Collector encroachments Suresh Karande could not be reached for comment.