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Bombay High Court has recently accepted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that raises concerns about the Panel City Municipal Corporation's (PCMC) handling of a slum rehabilitation project in Panvel. The PIL alleges that the PCMC approved the construction of a slum rehabilitation building by dividing a 20,000 square meter plot into two phases, purportedly to expedite the project without waiting for essential environmental clearances.
The PIL points out that the said plot is situated in a low-lying area near the confluence of the Gadhi River and Panvel Creek, making it susceptible to annual flooding. The PCMC has been implementing the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY) project by relocating slum pockets, specifically Mohalla and Kachhi Mohalla Patel, from this plot.
Of significant concern is the fact that the plot, encompassing the Panvel Creek backwater and Gadhi River's high flood line, falls under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) as per the irrigation department's classification. Construction activities within this zone, spanning the area between the riverbank and the blue flood line, are prohibited due to potential flood threats.
The PIL, filed by Qais Zubair Khotal, also claims that the PCMC failed to obtain a technical report from the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI). Furthermore, it alleges that the PCMC intends to divert the old river stream, which may have adverse environmental consequences.
The PCMC's choice to retain the same private agency that conducted a slum survey under the erstwhile Rajiv Awas Yojana years ago has come under scrutiny. Approximately 15 years ago, massive protests compelled the Panvel Municipal Council to abandon a slum rehabilitation project on an adjoining plot due to flooding concerns. The PCMC, however, did not issue a new work order for conducting fresh surveys of slum dwellers and pockets in accordance with PMAY guidelines. Consequently, the PIL seeks to invalidate the PCMC town planning department's building plan permission.
Another allegation within the PIL is the PCMC's formation of a city-level technical cell and the appointment of technical experts exclusively dedicated to PMAY projects. Disturbingly, data regarding these experts have neither been disclosed nor provided to the petitioner. Moreover, the residents of Patel Mohalla and Kachhi Mohalla are reportedly being forcibly evicted by the PCMC without being offered alternative permanent housing.
Residents of the slum have alleged to the press that out of the 1,500 dwelling units, only 939 have been included in the PCMC’s list of beneficiaries. The rent provided by the PMC, Rs 4,000/- per month, they claim is inadequate for them to secure a safe alternative accommodation. Representatives of the PCMC PMAY department have defended their stance, stating work has commenced only after all necessary formalities were completed.
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