A group of 15 met the shipping minister in Delhi on Thursday evening as he promised them a humane solution to the issue
Nitin Gadkari (l) with Sharad Pawar in Delhi as they met Mumbai Port Trust tenants
The Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) lessees, tenants, and occupants group of 15 who had flown to Delhi to meet Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday are back in the city.
Nitin Gadkari (l) with Sharad Pawar in Delhi as they met Mumbai Port Trust tenants
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Pervez Cooper whose office space in Ballard Estate's Nazir building has been sealed by the port trust said, "Besides Gadkari, Mumbai South MP Arvind Sawant, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, MbPT chairman Sanjay Bhatia and some bureaucrats from shipping were present. We had a 45 minute meeting where our various issues were presented to Gadkari. He promised a humane intervention. We are hoping for the best, but we will keep the fire burning as we want our issue addressed."
The group of Mumbai Port Trust tenants who met Nitin Gadkari in Delhi
The tenants were happy that Gadkari got all the officials concerned with their issue under one roof. Preeti Shenoy who was part of the group that went to Delhi said, "The first step has been taken. We will give Gadkari a week. Then we will see what has to be done. It is a positive move that he has met the people living on the port lands and understood their issues. I am praying for a positive judgment."
Viren Asar, advocate who explained the legal aspect to Gadkari said, "I gave the memorandum to Gadkari and explained how the Supreme Court diktats were not being followed by the port trust. The aggressive eviction mode will be on the back foot. It is a period of waiting and watching now to see what the final outcome will be. Gadkari has said he will seek some legal advice on what has to be done."
Meher Sanjana, Colaba resident who also went to Delhi said, "It was good to meet Gadkari and he promised to look into our problem. Now all political parties have been approached by us and know of the troubles we face. It is left to be seen however, who ends up helping us, finally."
Sanjay Bhatia, MbPT chairman said, "The lessees, tenants, and occupants violating the Supreme Court decision will see action taken against them. The cases after 2012, Gadkari will seek legal opinion on it."
The coming days will see what comes of the legal opinion as Gadkari and the MbPT's next move will make their approach to the tenants and the evictions clear. Mumbai's Colaba to Wadala Eastern coast MbPT tenants will have to continue to hold their breath as the future of their homes and businesses still hangs in the balance.
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