The shops are choking a storm water drain that runs from the Vile Parle Helibase to Juhu Beach
The shops are choking a storm water drain that runs from the Vile Parle Helibase to Juhu BeachThe answer to the problem of why Milan Subway gets flooded every monsoon has finally been found -- 20 allegedly illegal shops selling high-end products like garments and artifacts are built on the storm-water drain that runs from the Vile Parle Helibase all the way to Juhu Beach, virtually strangulating a 30-metre storm-water drain, which flows behind SNDT College to a little over one metre.
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| High-end illegal shops built on the storm water drain in Juhu |
These were the findings of an RTI application lodged by local activist Anil Nair. "What's ironic is that these 20 feet air-conditioned structures, with impeccable interiors are actually classified as huts on government record books," claims Nair.
Brimstowad recommendations
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| The Other Side |
| When contacted, Anant Dahiphale. Deputy Collector. (Encroachment) refused to comment, saying that he was on leave and had handed over the case to someone else. |
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In a copy of the Brimstowad Project, (available with Sunday Mid Day) initiated by the BMC after the flooding of 26/11, spot alignment surveys of nullahs and consultancy services for storm-water pumping station project work have been recommended.
The Project clearly indicates that the minimum width of a storm-water drain has to be maintained at 14 meters to curtail flooding in the area. "Thousands of crores have been spent on this project, but it will be of no use if its guidelines are not implemented properly," says Nair.
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Vested interests
He also feels that there could be people with vested interests who simply do not want to find a solution for the Milan Subway water-logging problem.
"Not only are these so-called business establishments a gold mine, yielding a monthly rent of up to seven lakhs per shop, the contractors hired to build the temporary metallic bridge in the subway and provide water pumps are annually paid up to 40 lakhs by the civic authorities. The latter could be hand-in-glove with the service providers," alleges Rafat Hussein, another activist pursuing the matter.
Shopkeepers disagree
Challenging the accusation, Abdul Majid Chohan, who heads the federation of shopkeepers whose credentials have been questioned, said that nearly 80 per cent of business establishments have not encroached on the storm water. He admitted, though, that there were a few who were responsible for choking the drainage by extending their structures. "We have the requisite paperwork and permissions to carry out our business. People who want us out are basically out for personal gains and harassment," said Chohan.
