The deputy collector (removal of encroachment) has pasted a notice in the colony, announcing the survey of each household for the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme.
A parcel of land that could yield crores of rupees if exploited through the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme has pitted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Collectorate of Mumbai against each other. Located in Govandi near the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road and the starting point of Eastern Freeway, it houses thousands of families paying monthly rent to the BMC, and it is now being eyed by the collector's office. The office has initiated the process of conducting a survey, which has been vehemently opposed by the residents.
The deputy collector (removal of encroachment) has pasted a notice in the colony, announcing the survey of each household for the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme.
"The first notice was pasted in May. However, the assistant commissioner of this ward (M-east) had written to the SRA CEO, asking the authority to stop the process. Though the process was stopped then, new notice was pasted this week, which says 'slum survey' will start from October 8," said a resident who has been staying in Gajanan Colony since 1976.
The plot, which has Lotus Colony and Gajanan Colony, is spread across 12 acres and can become a prime locality for the real estate market if exploited well. While the entire plan was hatched four years ago, the issue came to the light recently, when the BMC wrote to the collector's office. "The letter says that the notice is inappropriate and the land is in possession of the BMC since 1976 and also that the civic body collects charges from each household for occupying the land," said another resident.
The assistant civic commissioner's letter (a copy of which is with dna) reads that without taking any no-objection certificate, the collector's office has registered its name on the property card. The civic administration had brought this malapropos act to the notice of additional commissioner, Konkan Division, in 2012, which had then given a stay order; the final hearing is pending and subjudice.
Hence, the assistant civic commissioner has requested the SRA CEO to stop the slum survey immediately.
Residents have alleged that the SRA is doing this at the behest of private developers supported by a political party in the area. "When we approached the collector's office, we were told that a few among us wanted the rehabilitation scheme and turned away. Deputy collector Sanjay Jadhav also claimed that they have documents to prove their claim. However, information procured through the RTI Act revealed that all these documents were forged and no such requests were made by any resident," said one.
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