About 300 residents of Yari Road protested on Friday against the failure of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take action against illegal encroachments in the area.
The residents marched from Panch Marg to Versova Metro station and protested against the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) and the residents of Sunderwadi slum for illegally encroaching on land.
The protesters shouted Corruption ko hataana hai , Yaari Road ko bachaana hai [Eradicate corruption, save Yaari Road).”
Roadblocks
Ajit Chaubey, one of the protesters, said, “Encroachments have cropped up in the area over the past 10 to 12 years, making it difficult for pedestrians and motorists to navigate JP Road Junction. However, officials have not taken any steps to clear them.”
The residents said the Development Plan had set the width of the road at 120 feet, but encroachments reduced it to just 10 feet. The residents said the encroachments had completely occupied the footpath. Mr. Chaubey said, “It is the responsibility of the BMC to shift the residents of Sunderwadi slum.”
Shashi Ranjan, chairman, Yaari Road Residents’ Association, said, “If the officials fail to take action, we will have to organise such protests every 15 days. The BMC was supposed to clear a large stable in the slum on October 31. But they have now extended the deadline to November 8 without giving a valid reason.”
Quarters on mangroves
The residents said that the CIFE had begun constructing a staff quarters on mangroves. Mr. Chaubey said, “Hawkers add to the chaos on the road. They need to be moved to one location.”
A signature campaign started by the association has so far collected 800 signatures and the list will soon be submitted to Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta.
