The simmering resentment against the creation of infrastructure inside the Aarey Colony is likely to get intense, with the government' plan to set up a new RTO office along with a test track in the lush green patch.
According to a plan of the transport department, the Borivali Road Transport Office (RTO) needs a bigger plot for operational purposes plus setting up a test track. They are also looking for shed-like structures that will house their offices.
The department plans to lease a 4-acre plot – as big as three football fields – from the Aarey Milk Colony.
Once approved, the existing Borivali RTO shall shift to Aarey in Goregaon. The RTO has jurisdiction from Goregaon to Dahisar with vehicles getting registered under MH-47.
Citizens groups have long opposed concretisation of Aarey Colony, which is one of the biggest green patches in the city. There were massive protests in the city to protest construction of the Metro-III car shed there.
Although the Borivali RTO has the highest footfall of all the four RTOs in Mumbai, its office building is inadequate, said officials. The space is mostly occupied by seized vehicles.
"We have asked for a 4-acre plot at Aarey for the test track and offices on a lease," said Ravi Gaikwad, chief of Borivali RTO. The test track will be at least 250 meters long and it shall also have other amenities. About the dimension, officials said, it is as per a directive by the Bombay High Court which is applicable to all RTOs.
Nathu Rathod, chief executive officer of Aarey Colony, said: "We have received two separate proposals for the RTO. This has been forwarded to the government and decision is yet to be taken."
According to the proposal, Aarey has a one-acre land where there are ready-made structures that will be used for offices. Another three acres will be utilised for the quarter kilometre long test track.
Vehicular movement inside Aarey Colony will grow manifold if the RTO shifts there. This will also mean that several trees will be sacrificed to develop infrastructure there.
Hundreds of vehicles will need to be taken to the RTO for fitness testing. Fitness tests are carried out yearly, except for newly registered ones. New vehicles have to renew their fitness certificate two years after registration.
THE AAREY PLAN
- The transport department plans to lease a 4-acre plot – as big as three football fields – from the Aarey Milk Colony
- The plan involves development of a 250-metre long track to check the fitness of vehicles
- Once operations starts, hundreds of vehicles will visit the RTO premises
