Efforts to resolve the long-standing deadlock over the rehabilitation of residents affected by the Elphinstone Bridge reconstruction have seen a step forward. A crucial meeting held on Monday addressed two major concerns: the timeline for cluster redevelopment and the relocation plans for residents of buildings set to be demolished for the project.
The meeting, initiated by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Desai, brought together Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee and representatives of the 19 impacted buildings. Notably, residents of Haji Noorani and Laxmi Niwas, which are slated for demolition, were assured they would not be relocated to Kurla, a move they had strongly opposed.
According to Munaf Thakur, a resident of Haji Noorani, officials confirmed that the cluster redevelopment plan is currently with the Urban Development Department (UDD) and will be forwarded to the MMRDA within the next 8 to 10 days. Only after receiving written confirmation will residents permit demolition work to begin.
Thakur added that MMRDA has promised to rehouse affected residents in nearby MHADA housing, ideally within three months. If this is not possible, rental compensation will be considered as a last resort.
Anil Desai acknowledged the deep-rooted concerns of the residents, who fear being displaced from the neighbourhood they’ve lived in for generations. “There’s a very real apprehension about being pushed into distant transit camps, affecting both current and future generations,” he said.
The redevelopment file remains with the UDD for now, but instructions are expected soon for MMRDA to proceed. The reassurances offered at the meeting have brought a measure of relief, though residents remain firm about needing written guarantees before any further steps are taken.
Source: Hindustan Times
