Families displaced by the Elphinstone Bridge demolition say MMRDA rehabilitation allotments have created fresh hardships. Shop owners allege loss of livelihood, while residents flag distant locations, wrong details and violation of promises made before demolition
Haji Noorani building, from where 23 families have been relocated. PICS/ASHISH RAJE
After a long-standing battle, the people affected by the Elphinstone Bridge demolition finally received allotment letters to their new homes from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on January 22, but only to face more troubles. As many as 13 of 23 families of Haji Noorani, one of the two buildings from where residents were supposed to be displaced, have raised various concerns regarding the houses provided to them. From faraway locations to wrong names on allotment letters, the residents have been put in difficult situations.
Shutting down business
Of the 23 affected families, seven have shops in the building while 15 have houses, with one family owning two houses. However, those with commercial properties have been allotted residential units, taking away their sole source of income.
Suhas Badade sits at his soon-to-be demolished shop
“What will we do with this house? Already, I had to give up my sugarcane juice business after footfall reduced post demolition of the bridge. I would earn at least Rs 70,000 per month. But after the footfall reduced, I was unable to earn even Rs 10,000. I was forced to rent out the space to a scrap dealer who pays me R15,000 per month. Now, once they demolish this building and this shop goes down, even the Rs 15,000 I earn will be lost. This shop is the sole source of income for my family of nine,” said Suhas Badade.
Facing similar troubles is Mala Gupta, who runs a chaat centre in the same building. “Our third generation was also born here, and we have been running this business for the last 20 years. They have given us a house in Wadala in exchange for this shop. This shop is our only source of income. That house is of no use to us. They are taking away our source of income. How do they expect us to survive? How do we get food when we go to live in that house?” questioned Gupta.
This apart, the shop owners have also stated that selling these rehabilitation houses isn’t an option as they will not fetch a good amount. “If I sell my shop, it will easily fetch me around Rs 1 crore. The house that they have provided us would fetch barely R50-R60 lakh, considering the location and the fact that these are MHADA or SRA houses. So, our source of income is also lost. We aren’t getting market value monetary compensation for it, and we have ended up with a house that can’t get us enough,” said Badade.
‘Further than promised’
While the residents were promised rehabilitation within a 2.5 km radius, these families have been given houses at quite faraway locations. “I have two rooms beside each other in Haaji Noorani. However, one house allotted to us is at Antop Hill and another one is at Hindmata, about 5 km apart. The Hindmata house is 4 km away from our original location, and Antop Hill is almost 7 km away. How are we supposed to manage?” questioned Manish Shirodkar.
Sharing how she would face problems in reaching her college, another resident, Ashwini Wagh, told mid-day, “At present, I spend just Rs 30 one way by cab. I can even walk if I wish to. But if I shift to the new home, I will have to spend double the amount of time and money.” The 13 families facing issues have formally approached MMRDA, seeking alternative accommodations that meet the conditions promised prior to the demolition. However, officials have reportedly stated that no other transit homes are available and that residents must accept the allotted flats.
“When we first went, they misbehaved and rudely told us that we had to accept what we had been allotted. Then, when we approached officials in Mantralaya, they just gave verbal assurances. Later, MMRDA officials asked us to come for a meeting on Friday. We don’t know what the outcome of that meeting will be,” said Badade. So far, none of the 23 families has taken possession of the new houses.
Voices
Suhas Badade, shop owner
I would earn at least Rs 70,000 per month. But after the footfall reduced, I was unable to earn even Rs 10,000. I was forced to rent out the space to a scrap dealer who pays me Rs 15,000 per month. Now, once they demolish this building and this shop goes down, even the Rs 15,000 I earn will be lost.
Mala Gupta, shop owner
They have given us a house in Wadala in exchange for this shop. This shop is our only source of income. That house is of no use to us. They are taking away our source of income. How do they expect us to survive? How do we get food when we move into that house?
Ashwini Wagh, college student
At present, I spend just Rs 30 one way by cab. I can even walk if I wish to. But if I shift to the new home, I will have to spend double the amount of time and money.
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