The State government has begun the process of relocating around 5,500 families suffering from excessive air and water pollution in Chembur’s Mahul area. The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) on Tuesday held a meeting in this connection with representatives of the families, assuring them of 300 houses in the first phase of relocation.
The Mumbai unit of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) demanded that the families be relocated to the over 11,000 empty houses built in Kurla’s Kohinoor city for project affected persons. “Even the CAG report has shown that the houses are lying unoccupied. Why can’t these projected affected persons (PAPs) be shifted to better living conditions in that area?” asked Dhananjay Shinde, State executive member, AAP.
As per a court order the State was supposed to have relocated the families by October 1, AAP activists say. “Conditions in Mahul are such that it is recording one death per week. There are oil refineries and a chemical fertiliser factory which makes living unbearable. Not only air, but even the water is being polluted. Hundreds of people are being hospitalised. It is no less than Hitler’s gas chambers,” said Mr. Shinde.
A fortnight ago, Mahul residents led by Ghar Bachao, Ghar Banao and Mahul Sangharsh Prakalpgrast Samiti led an agitation demanding relocation. Barring AAP and Shiv Sena, no political party extended support. Since last Sunday, around 200 PAPs are staging an indefinite sit-in in front of gate number two of Somaiya College in Vidyavihar, their original location, from where they were shifted for the construction of Tansa water pipeline.
Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray has said the issue is serious. “Sena MLA and MHADA chairman Uday Samant called us for a meeting on Tuesday. Theyhey have offered us 300 houses in Gorai, Borivli and Dharavi,” said Bilal Khan of Ghar Bachao, Ghar Banao.
