Improve infrastructure at Chembur: Govt to Bombay HC

The state government has informed the Bombay High Court that after going through the report issued by IIT Bombay, it has taken steps to improve the basic infrastructure and living conditions at Mahul near Chembur.   

The state council also said that the work of basic facilities like construction of sewage pipeline, construction of hospitals has begun with the state officers directing Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) companies to use advanced technology in their plants to minimise toxic waste. 

A division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Ajay Gadkari were hearing a bunch of petitions filed by Mahul residents who were shifted from nine wards of Mumbai.

The Bombay high court in another petition directed Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and state government to demolish shanties and huts that had covered water pipelines of the city and give the residents an accommodation in a different place.

Also read- Mahul Residents March To Mantralaya For Escape From Toxic Air

Accordingly, the state government provided accommodation at Mahul but the slum dwellers refused to move by claiming that Mahul was not a good place for residence due to heavy pollution. Many residents have filed a petition in the HC and cited green tribunal order wherein its mentioned that Mahul is polluted and is not a safe place for accommodation.

The court then directed the state to accommodate the residents in some other area or pay money to them so they search for accommodation for themselves.

Special Counsel Girish Godbole told the court that report of IIT-Bombay is not a final report and another report will be filed in the future. He informed the court that the state is ready to provide 120 sq.feet houses near Mahim Church to the affected people or ₹843 rent per month to each family.

Notably, petitioners argued that they were ready to accept ₹843 rent but also asked the state to show the area where rooms are available at such a cheap rate. Petitioners also urged HC to accommodate them in Ghatkopar. In response, the court told petitioners that there was no place for accommodation in the city.