Mumbai News: Aarey Colony To Get Enhanced CCTV Surveillance, Security Personnel To Curb Illegal Activities

Mumbai: The Aarey Milk Colony authorities are in process of installing their own CCTV cameras and deploying additional 34 security personnel in order to prevent unauthorised usage of land, debris dumping etc.

The move comes amid the rising cases complaints of land grabbing and commercial activities in the colony. The 700 acre big Aarey colony falls under the Sanjay Gandhi National Park's eco-sensitive and non-development zone.

The issue of unauthorised commercial activities in Aarey have once again come to limelight after a senior BJP leader visited the spots, registered a complaint in Aarey police station and demanded investigation against cow shelters inside Aarey colony built to store fodder being demolished/expanded illegal by constructors and converted to massive godowns.

The former MP has alleged that due to ignorance or in connivance with BMC special cell and Aarey authorities, the contractors' are commercially exploiting the reserved forest land.

Environment activist and Director of NGO Vanashakti, Stalin D said, "The change in use is a violation that must be dealt with severely. The lease agreement has lapsed long ago. The cattle shed operators who are trying to shift business into non dairy activities must be evicted immediately and the land handed over to the Forest Department or used to provide amenities to the tribals who are living in Aarey. There are too many agencies which apparently are enjoying the fruits of this destruction inside the ESZ."

Aarey CEO Shrikant Shipurkar said, "The contractors were allowed to use the land after proper tendering procedures. However, they claim to have permission from the BMC to expand the structures. Showcase notices have been issued to three godowns and their response and the permission documents from BMC is awaited."

"We have also formed a committee to inquire in the matter. Meanwhile, we have been communicating with the BMC regarding the debris dumping."

Shipurkar added, "We have decided to enhance surveillance inside the Aarey colony. Now we have CCTVs installed by the police, but we are in process of having our own CCTVs and have also asked for 34 additional security force. The aim is to prevent illegal activities."

Stalin added, "Corruption is rampant in Aarey. Poor surveillance and lack of monitoring like CCTV network is allowing the problems to worsen. We have met the CEO who has promised to install a proper CCTV network with continuous monitoring inside Aarey milk colony jurisdiction. Let us see what progress happens over the next two months."