'Leaving our janmabhoomi': Haji Noorani Chawl families start moving out

Haji Noorani building in Elphinstone. PICS/BY SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

We are leaving our janmabhoomi to do our karma," said Shweta Shirodkar as she packed her belongings from room no. 13 of Haji Noorani Chawl in Elphinstone.

As the MMRDA refused to give an extension till May 31 to shift to new houses, the residents, after conducting a meeting with officials, agreed to vacate homes by the end of this week. The April 24 deadline for residents to vacate the premises was extended to May 4.

"We know that they also have deadlines. But forcing us to pack our entire livelihoods in just a few days or months wasn't fair. The entire city is going to benefit after the flyover is constructed; we do know that. But it's our entire life here that is now going to be altered," said Manjula Wagh, a resident.

Official Speak

Responding to issues, Shivaji Davbhat, additional collector, said, "The lift in D-Abero has been made functional. We have also offered transportation help if any family requires moving their belongings to the new houses. The procedure took long, but we tried to do our best in our capacity to ensure they do not face injustice. We will also look into the matter of bills."

Families begin packing their belongings to move out of Haji Noorani building

Work begins

The authorities have begun stacking iron sheets and bamboo in order to begin their installation for starting the demolition works. "By the time we put on the bamboo and iron roofing and actually begin the demolition, it will take another couple of days. So, the families will also get that much time to move out of their homes," said the additional collector.

Voices

Ashwini Wagh, a resident of Haji Noorani
‘We had not even started living in the new flats. There was no functional lift, and even water supply arrangements were incomplete. Yet we were already being asked to pay utility charges.'

Rabiya Thakur, a resident of Haji Noorani
‘The house allotted to us in the Priyadarshini Building had termite issues and also leakage problems. We also had to get the house painted.'

New problems
The main hurdle was unavailability of facilities and poor structural conditions of the alternative MHADA homes allotted to these residents.