Project to resettle slumdwellers opened

Following intense struggle by the people and development organisations like Youth and Volunntary Action YUVA, those eligible were allotted pitches in a resettlement site nearby. Though this new site could accommodate around 700 families, remaining affected ones are still at the mercy of policymakers.

Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority HADA had sanctioned Rs 98.94 lakh for developing the basic infrastructure of the new site, of which around Rs 30 lakh were released for water supply and other basic amenities.

Mallick has announced that his government will constructthese tenements in Bhabrekar Nagar and instructed G G Gill, vice president, MHADA to initiate steps for this purpose. However, the new plan put forward by the minister hardly found any support from the families as these plots cost Rs 1 lakh each where the member is expected to contribute Rs 25,000 initially and the remaining amount as loan from HUDCO.

Another scheme which was put forward for contributing Rs 10,000 for modifying the existing facility too failed to find any takers, as these structures are way beyond rescue.

The resettled families too are on the verge of eviction, since the state urban development department has declared this area under no development zone NDZ recently. It is learnt that the representatives from locals, voluntary organisations along with Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority MHADA officials have called for a meeting with Suresh Joshi, principal secretary, Urban Development for clearance from NDZ restrictions on February 7.