Mahul locals: No action taken on relocation yet

Mumbai: Mahul residents on Saturday claimed that despite the Bombay high court order in September regarding relocation of residents due to excessive air pollution, they have not been shifted to alternate residences. They have submitted 3,500 applications to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) seeking relocation.

In their letters to the civic body, the residents stated that they are willing to accept a monthly amount of '15,000 along with one-time security deposit of '45,000 so that they can secure accommodations on a leave and licence basis.

On Saturday, the residents completed 360 days of protest against the forceful rehabilitation of project affected persons in Mahul, which the IIT-Bombay and NEERI reports have stated, is inhabitable due to severe air pollution.

“We have already submitted around 3,500 applications and will be submitting another 1,000 by Tuesday. It will be a year since our protest and yet the state has failed to help us in any way. Even our MLAs did not act on the pleas. The BMC, despite the HC order and reports on air pollution, is now moving the Supreme Court challenging the high court order,” said Anita Dhole, a resident of Mahul.

“We have not got any assurance from the state or BMC about when we will be relocated. People in Mahul are suffering from serious health issues due to smoke emitted from factories,” said Arun Ajest, another resident.

Residents also stated that none of the political parties have included the issue of excessive pollution in Mahul and the plight of residents in their manifestos.

“Some political parties have been coming time and again only to give us false promises, but their hypocrisy is exposed. We will also keep this in mind while voting on October 21,” said Bilal Khan, activist working towards shifting Mahul residents.