The residents of Dungi village have refused the ₹2,500 offered as compensation by the State government for the damage caused in the heavy downpour on July 9 and 10.
The villagers are now planning to meet CIDCO officials and the Chief Minister and demand that they be rehabilitated.
Deepak Akade, Panvel Tehsildar, said, “None of the villagers are willing to share their bank account numbers with us so that we can deposit the compensation money. Government rules have fixed the compensation for cases of flooding at ₹2,500. There is no way that we can increase this amount.”
The villagers claim that the amount will not be enough to compensate for the furniture and food grains damaged in the rains. Vikas Naik, a resident of Dungi village, said their homes were filled with dirt once the waters receded.
Mohan Ninawe, CIDCO public relations officer, said, “The Central Water and Power Research Station [CWPRS] had done an indepth study on water bodies, including the Ulwe river catchment area spread over 35 sq km. It had recommended a long-term solution to prevent flooding of villages around the airport for 100 years.”
Lokesh Chandra, CIDCO managing director, said CWPRS has been requested to suggest short-term measures to prevent flooding in the area. Mr. Ninawe said, “He has asked CWPRS to prepare a masterplan for a Surface Drainage System for Dungi, Paragaon, Khalche, Owale and Bhangarpada villages located in the core airport area up to NH-4B. The report is expected to be ready in two months.
