Bombay High Court raps govt for not providing housing to Mahul residents

Senior social activist Medha Patkar addressing Mahul residents

By A Representative
Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) president Uday Samant, a Shiv Sena MLA, has sanctioned the proposal to allot 300 houses to the residents of Mahul, Mumbai's toxic hell. The allotment of houses by MHADA "disapproves" the Maharashtra government stand in the Court about non availability of alternative houses, Mumbai's civil rights organization, Ghar Bachao, Ghar Banao Andolan (GBGBA) has said.
However, GBGBA points out in a statement, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), falling directly under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, have "still not found out time to take decision on the matter involving the lives of thousands of residents."
High level of toxicity in Mahul has reportedly caused the death of 150 people since 2015. Two people died this week -- one of cancer and the other due to heart attack. They were healthy before forcefully shifted in Mahul last year.
Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court, in its order based on hearing on December 13, 2018, has rapped the state government for its failure to implement the Court's order of August 8, 2018, when it directed the government to provide alternative housing to Mahul residents. On seeing the finding in the report prepared by IIT Bombay about the infrastructure facility, health, multiple risk hazard, pollution along with other aspects, in Mahul, the High Court said it "confirmed" the complaints which the residents of Mahul were making for more than a year.
Mahul residents' protest has already entered 55th day. They are demanding a meeting with the Chief Minister and resolution of the issue. So far, he has not cared to give an ear to the plight of the 30,000 residents who are facing life threats, GBGBA said, adding, till he takes action to save thousands of live, the dharna would continue in Azad Maidan.

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