Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the Deonar dumping ground has granted a reprieve — albeit temporary — to slumdwellers in Adarsh Nagar in the area. The BMC’s office in Deonar called off its three-day slum demolition drive, scheduled to begin on Monday, due to lack of mandatory police protection for its personnel. The police withdrew its permission for the drive, allegedly fearing a backlash from locals during Rahul’s visit.

A BMC official from the M/East ward said the civic body had undertaken several demolition drives near the dumping ground in the past. “But the police did not provide us protection, citing Rahul’s visit. They were worried that the demolition might trigger protests.”