Red Zone residents look to Fernandes

PUNE, April29: Two days before the visit of Defence Minister George Fernandes, residents of the Red Zone area in Bhosari, who have been depr...

PUNE, April29: Two days before the visit of Defence Minister George Fernandes, residents of the Red Zone area in Bhosari, who have been deprived of basic civic amenities like water supply, drainage and proper roads, are sceptical if any positive decisions would be taken to finally relieve them of their hardships.

8220;We want a definite answer. Yes or no. And we are doubtful if any decisions will be taken immediately,8221; says a resident staying in the area for nearly 12 years. He almost voices the grievances of the majority of the residents.

Over 25,000 residents staying here since last 15 years in the Red Zone area have been deprived of the basic civic amenities because of the defence restrictions as the area falls close in the vicinity of the Dighi magazine depot. However despite a ban on construction activity here, there has been a continuous rise in the number of residents seeking accommodation or going for land purchase.

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation PCMC was forced to stop any civic amenities here since 1990 following objections from the defence authorities. However, PCMC continues to recover property tax from a section of the residents here. It has provided water stand posts, but no proper roads have been constructed. Water is also provided by tankers but there are no drainage lines, sanitation or recreational facilities such as play ground and cultural centre.

Says D Y Dive, a resident who has been staying here for the last eight years, 8220;The residents have made so many representations to various authorities and the ministers. Why should we be deprived of the civic amenities, when there was no fault on our part while purchasing land. The title of the land was clear and it was also approved as non-agricultural land when we began construction activity.8221;During the visit of the Defence Minister, a memorandum signed by 10,000 residents is to be submitted to him.

The 8220;outer safety distance8221; near the Dighi magazine depot has been fixed up to a radius of 1145 meters. As per the Defence Act, 1903, no residential constructions could be permitted in this area and the land could be used only for grazing and cultivating activity. According to a joint proposal of the municipal corporation and the defence authorities, the 8220;outer safety distance8221; is to be reduced from 1145 meters to 760 meters only from the Bhosari side. The defence authorities propose to acquire 595.77 hectares of land in the reduced 8220;outer safety distance8221; of 760 meters.About 300 houses, which fall in the radius of 760 meters will have to be shifted elsewhere. The civic authorities meanwhile have formulated a plan to provide individual water connections to the residents outside the 760 meter area.

Fernandes who will be visiting the area on May 2 will later hold a joint discussion with the civic and the defence authorities regarding the problems related with red zone area. Congress leader Sharad Pawar will be accompanying the Minister. Incidentally, Pawar, who was the defence minister in 1991 had assured the residents that their problems would be solved. The residents recall that during the assembly polls the candidates had assured their problems would be solved in 15 days. The residents are looking forward to the Defence Minister8217;s visit. However, they are not sure if any assurances would be made.