Aarey tribals get NOC for power supply, water

Mumbai: For the first time since independence, the tribals from Naushachapada in Aarey Milk Colony will be getting power supply. The Bombay Veterinary College gave a no objection certificate (NOC) for the electricity supply Monday. This has been a prolonged demand put forth by the tribals to the state.

The Asian Age had last week reported that hundreds of tribals from Aarey Colony held an 8km long peaceful march till the BVC College to stress their demand for electricity and water supply in Naushachapada, which has been deprived of these basic facilities for years.

“Naushachapada has been suffering without water supply and electricity for more than 40 years now. In 2016, the BVC gave a written statement to the effect that they will provide a NOC to a power company to provide electricity here however it was stalled. We are so elated to finally get the no objection certificatetoday,” said Rakesh Shigvan, tribal from Naushachapada. This hamlet in Aarey Colony is home to around 300 tribals.

The tribals held celebrations on the occasion where they marched with a palanquin housing the NOC letter and danced to folk songs. Later, the group went to Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited to show the NOC and get the work started.

“We showed the NOC letter to Adani Electricity on Monday itself as we want that the hamlet should get power supply within a week. All 27 hamlets are now in a celebratory mood. We are grateful to the BVC for giving us the NOC,” said Prakash Bhoir, tribal from Ketlipada.