Residents of Ambewadi in Golibar Nagar Khar (east), the site of the disputed SRA project touted to be Mumbai’s second largest slum rehabilitation, have alleged that the BMC has been neglecting the basic maintenance since a number of the huts were demolished in 2010.
The residents allege that the BMC and the area corporator, in cahoots with the developer Shivalik Ventures, have delayed the basic maintenance duties, including the drains that are infrequently cleaned.
Despite demolitions, around 450 huts are still standing. A visit to the site shows the area’s drains to be clogged with rubble of the demolition carried out by the BMC.
“In the morning, the entire area fills up and there is a horrible stench all around,” resident Abha Tandel said. “Our children fall sick often, and even the area near the Balwadi, where our children study, fills up.”
The area corporator, BJP’s Mahesh Parkar, denied the allegations and blamed it on a number of factors. “My ward is clean, and I can show you. Sometimes the slum dwellers don’t know and throw solid debris in the drain, clogging it.”
However, residents claim that these are pressure tactics being used by the builder. “They are in this together — putting pressure on us by making our living conditions
miserable,” said Ms Tandel.