Maharashtra Govt Forms Committee to Define Dharavi Koliwada Boundaries
Mumbai: State revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced the formation of a committee headed by the Konkan divisional commissioner to draw up the boundaries of Dharavi Koliwada. This decision comes after residents opposed the inclusion of the Koliwada in the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) and demanded that their land, on which buildings were constructed, be restored to them.
Bawankule stated that the committee, comprising the BMC commissioner, Mumbai city and suburbs collectors, and the land commissioner, will submit its report to the government within three months. This move aims to address the long-standing concerns of the Koliwada residents and ensure a transparent and fair process.
On Wednesday, local Congress MLA Jyoti Gaikwad led a delegation of residents to meet Bawankule. The residents emphasized that the Koliwada has been in existence since the 12th century and is a heritage precinct. They strongly advocated for its complete exclusion from the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. Additionally, they demanded that the local temple to the deity Khandoba and the nearby Holi Maidan be given the status of a religious center.
Recently, Navbharat Mega Developers Pvt Ltd (NMDPL), the special purpose vehicle set up to execute the redevelopment project, initiated the barricading of Mhada-constructed government quarters, including those for ONGC, AEML, BEST, and GRP. Koliwada residents opposed this action, asserting that the land belongs to Dharavi Koliwada.
An NMDPL spokesperson clarified that the SPV officially took possession of these buildings as they fall under the Dharavi Redevelopment area. 'NMDPL is not a party to any legal dispute related to the land as all land parcels vest with the DRP/SRA. The protests by the Koliwada residents relate to their claims regarding land rights with the state authorities,' the spokesperson said.
The formation of this committee is a significant step towards resolving the ongoing land disputes and ensuring that the rights and heritage of the Koliwada residents are respected. The government's decision to involve key stakeholders in the process is a positive move towards achieving a fair and just outcome.
