Mumbai: The Bombay high court has asked the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) to furnish details of how much rehabilitation has been arranged for families whose huts fall within the purview of metro 3’s car-shed at Aarey, Goregaon east. The court has also noted that the MMRCL has no powers to demolish any of the structures that fall within the purview of the car shed.
A division bench of Justice Abhay Oak and Justice Riyaz Chagla was hearing a petition filed by some residents, challenging the eviction of tribals from their hamlets and land for the purpose of execution of the metro 3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz) corridor in the tribal areas of Prajapur pada, Aarey Colony.
Sixty-one slum dwel-lers have claimed restitution of their original lands along with compensation for the unlawful acts committed by government authorities who initiated and carried out the eviction drive. Some petitioners have even sought protection from being evicted.
MMRCL counsel G.W. Mattos argued that they had identified 302 structures which were falling within the purview of demolition and had already given alternative accommodation to the affected people. He also said that there were some shop owners who were not ready to accept the alternative accommodation at Durga Nagar, Jogeshwari.
