Rs 5 lakh each for our 40-yr-old dwellings? Not enough, Vasai residents tell Railways

An undated photo of residents of six housing societies near Vasai station that are listed for demolition. Pic/By Special Arrangement

Residents and shopkeepers operating from six housing complexes near Vasai station are locked in battle with Railways for better compensation before the scheduled demolition of their 40-year-old homes to make way for the Borivli-Virar additional rail corridor, which will segregate outstation and express trains.

The six buildings in Vasai listed to be demolished to make way for the rail corridor are Sriram Complex, the Shiv Shakti, Sahyog, Adarsh, Jagdish Kripa housing societies and a part of Champa Sadan.

Arun Malviya, Vasai resident

"The proposed acquisition targets fully constructed residential and commercial buildings, and it appears to ignore the ownership rights, lawful possession, and associated entitlements of residents," said Vasai resident Arun Malviya.

"The compensation offered is entirely inadequate and does not reflect the actual market value. Our members have purchased these properties at prevailing market rates that include land, construction, taxes, registration, and builder premiums. We demand that compensation be assessed at current ready reckoner rates or actual purchase price - whichever is higher," said another resident, Joel D'Souza.

Nikunj Soni, another resident, said, "There has been a violation of rules, and no public notice has been published in two newspapers. No personal hearing or consultation has been conducted with affected parties. These serious omissions violate principles of natural justice and due process. Hence, we demand the immediate suspension of the process and redressal of our grievances. We call upon the authority concerned to withdraw the acquisition notices, immediately suspend all further proceedings and disbursement of compensation and engage in direct negotiation with the flat/unit owners individually."

"We are open to considering fair market-aligned compensation or alternatively, rehabilitation within a 500-metre radius with equivalent facilities and connectivity. We reiterate that our properties carry not just financial but also emotional and strategic value. Fair compensation must be calculated," he added.

If the Railways acquire this property and give us a compensation of just R5 lakh each, our lifetime earnings will become zero. We will be on the streets and will face problems finding a house at this price. We will have to move to farther regions like Palghar, Boisar, where it will be difficult to get even a one-room kitchen or anything at this rate. This is a prime location, we are next to the station," a resident said.

"You want to acquire the land, you can take it. We are not opposing the project. But you are taking the houses of middle-class citizens, and by not offering the right compensation at existing market rates, you are breaking their backbone," another resident said.

What is the project?

The project of laying additional lines between Borivli-Virar (5th and 6th lines) is being built at a cost of R2,184.02 crore will be a game-changer, segregating suburban and outstation trains between Virar and Bandra Terminus.

Status of works

Estimates, designs and drawings have been prepared with a drone survey finalising the alignment and approvals in place for all the general arrangement drawings of all important, major and minor bridges. At this stage, the contract for construction of service buildings and quarters has been awarded, while the construction of relay room at Mira Road; signal office, tool room, RRI (route relay interlocking) room and Railway Protection Force barracks at Dahisar; new station building at Naigaon; and quarters at Vasai Road and Bhayander are in progress. Modifications at Naigaon station, including the construction and extension of foot overbridges and platforms, are also in progress.

Official Speak

Railway officials said they would look into the matter as the land acquisition process was being undertaken in collaboration with the state government and the district collectorate.

"The compensation for land acquisition is carried out strictly as per the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. The final assessment and determination of compensation is done by the competent authority appointed by the district collector. The MRVC's role is limited to depositing the compensation amount to revenue authorities for disposal, project implementation, coordination and demarcation of land required for the project," an MRVC spokesperson told mid-day.

Aug 2024
When the process of acquiring the land started