Automated Translation:
Threat of a slum looming large on Worli Koliwada?

January 2016

Renewed confusion over CEO's proposal

REPRESENTATIVE - The Mumbai, Koliwada Slum Rehabilitation Authority's proposal to construct a four-and-a-half-acre intact slum in Worli Koliwada, which has been neglected without any decision regarding Koliwada, has finally failed. It has been decided to send a comprehensive proposal to the government regarding group redevelopment as per the provisions of the Development Control Regulations of Worli Koliwada. There are 27 Koliwadas in Mumbai and the condition of these Koliwadas is pathetic. Regarding the redevelopment of Koliwadas, the Koliwada Development Control has not been taken into consideration. In addition, the Koli community has been left horrified by the attempt to declare Koliwada as a 'slum'. Most of the area in Worli Koliwada comes under the jurisdiction of the municipality and most of the properties are cessable.

Therefore, provision 33 (9) of the Development Control Rules only applies to the group redevelopment policy. Therefore, the efforts of the Slum Redevelopment Authority were strongly opposed by the G-South Ward of the municipality. Despite, this, a notice was issued. Because it was declared as a slum, the residents would be getting a 269 sq.ft house. Under the group redevelopment, residents can get a 407 sq ft house.

Despite this, a hearing was held regarding declaring the four and a half acre plot as a slum. If this happened, there would be strong opposition, said Sachin Ahir. Apart from this, various organizations in Koliwada had also warned that they would take to the streets in protest. Finally, the slum authority has now set aside the proposal to declare a part of Koliwada as a slum. This was confirmed by the chief officer of the authority.

Confusion has arisen again due to the CEO's arrogance. The Slum Rehabilitation Authority withdrew the proposal to declare about four and a half acres of land in Worli Koliwada as a slum without any decision being taken regarding the neglected Koliwadas in Mumbai. But according to the provisions of the Development Control Regulations of Worli Koliwada, if the development is not done within the next six months, the authority has sent a proposal to the government that the plot on which the slum is located should be declared a slum.

The condition of Koliwadas in Mumbai is pathetic and there is no provision in the Development Control rules regarding their redevelopment. Even in the new development plan, the Koliwadas have not been taken into consideration. Meanwhile, the Koli community, , the sons of the soil — have grown fearful because of the ongoing attempts being made to declare some area of the ​​Koliwada as a 'slum'. The authority has started the process of declaring approximately four and a half acres of area in Worli Koliwada as a slum area. Due to this, various organizations related to the Koli community were formed. Therefore, the authority had to withdraw the proposal to declare this plot as a slum. After the hearing in this regard, the Authority's Chief Officer Aseem Gupta sent a letter to the Principal Secretary of the Housing Department on December 18 and stated that the all-round development of Worli Koliwada should be done within six months.

It was recorded in this letter, along with a site inspection report attached, that the plots on which the slum is spread in Worli Koliwada are densely populated and the internal foot roads are narrow; and hence there is no path for an ambulance to go through. As a result, it has been demanded that redevelopment of Worli Koliwada should be done within six months, failing which, the slum area should be declared as a slum redevelopment area. It is the correct thing to do, to protect the original residents, holders as well as the squatters who have been encroaching since 2000 years ago and develop the Koliwadas together. But if this development work is going to take more than six months, there is no option but to have separate development to avoid the risk of the slum area that is already in a risky and dangerous condition. Accordingly, a proposal has been sent to the government. We wish that the redevelopment of Koliwada should be done within the prescribed period.