Residents displaced by the recent demolition drive at Garib Nagar in Mumbai say they have been left without shelter, livelihoods, and rehabilitation support, with many families now scattered across different parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Several residents continue to stay near the demolition site to protect salvaged belongings, while others have shifted temporarily to Mahul, Dharavi, Mira Road, Nalasopara, and nearby areas. Many families said women and children have been sent back to their native villages due to the lack of housing.
Rafiq Shaikh, a 37-year-old auto-rickshaw driver, said his family had lived in Garib Nagar for nearly five decades before three of their homes were demolished during the drive.
“My family includes my mother, wife, daughter, and son. My elder brother’s family of five and my sister and her two children also lived here. Around 14 to 15 people were dependent on those three homes,” he said.
Shaikh stated that rising rents and large security deposits have made it difficult to find alternative accommodation in Mumbai.
“Even in slum areas, rent is Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000, with deposits of around Rs 2 lakh. We cannot afford that. Nalasopara is cheaper, but our livelihood is in Bandra,” he said.
Residents also alleged irregularities in the rehabilitation survey conducted before the demolition.
“First give us house-for-house replacement. There are around 450 houses here. Only about 160 were surveyed and around 60 people are getting homes. Many houses were demolished without surveys,” Shaikh claimed.
Aleem Qureshi, another resident whose home was demolished during the first phase of the drive, said several families have continued sleeping at the site for the past week.
“I was born here and have always lived here. We have been sitting at the demolished site for seven days. NGOs and local people are providing food. Initially, politicians and officials promised us houses, but now nobody is coming,” he said.
Many residents alleged they were threatened with police action if they refused to vacate the area. Families also claimed the demolition has disrupted children’s education, affected employment and forced people to live in vehicles or temporary shelters while demanding rehabilitation housing.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
