Locals Are Protesting Their Displacement Because Of Metro III Project
Mumbai : Girgaum-Kalbadevi bandh was 100 percent successful with all local traders
and shop-owners participating in it along with some political parties and local residents. Girgaum Kruti Samiti had given a call for a day’s bandh on Wednesday to protest against relocation of the 26 buildings to make way for Metro III project.
As per the project plans, 26 buildings need to be demolished to make way for the proposed Girgaum and Kalbadevi stations. Local residents are opposing the project as it may affect more than 600 families and over 200 commercial establishments. Residents of the 26 buildings in Kalbadevi and Girgaum demanded that they want to be rehabilitated in the same or nearby areas. The Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro III route will be underground.
Though the call for bandh was given by the Girgaum Kruti Samiti, Shiv Sena supported the residents. Later on Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Congress too backed the bandh. However, essential services were exempted from it.
Bandh started at 9 am and went up to 6 pm. Only medical shops, hospitals and bank services were allowed to function. There was no untoward incident reported during the bandh, police said. Chira Bazar fish market
, automobile market
near Lamington Road were also shut to extend support to the local residents.
Local people took out a long march from Princes Street to Girgaum Church in the morning. The march was led by Pandurang Sakpal, Vibhag Pramukh of Shiv Sena.
At the Girgaum Church, the morcha converted into a rally. While addressing the rally, Sakpal said though Shiv Sena is in government as alliance partner, it came on the road for residents. “Chief Minister is making statement on the displacement, but the state government has to come out with Government Resolution or an ordinance to give respite to the residents,” he said. He appealed that the government should meet experts from the Kruti Samiti.
Meenakshi Pawar, a fisher woman from the Chira Bazar fish market who participated in the march said, “I am doing business in the market for last 40 years. Now, the government is asking us to go from the area, how is it possible?” she asked.
Jayanti Punja, who runs a grocery shop near Thakurdwar, said, “My shop is here for last two generations and now my sons are looking after the business. How and why should we leave our house and business?” he asked.
