Mumbai: CMO sat on file about rehabilitation of slums on MbPT land, claims Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant

Mumbai: Targeting the Chief Minister’s office (CMO), Arvind Sawant, Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai South constituency said that even though Union Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari had agreed to permit scheme under Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) on land of Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT), the CMO sat on the file and has not taken any decision despite.

Speaking with Free Press Journal, Sawant said, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had given poll assurance during 2014 poll to develop the eastern waterfront of Mumbai and the unutilised land of the Mumbai port trust for public use. “The plan envisages setting up murals on waterfront, showcasing India’s flight for Independence from 1857 to 1947.

Sawant has written a letter to chief minister Fadnavis on January 14 and stated he has taken responsibility of development of eastern waterfront. “I am aware about it but you may not getting time to work on it,” Sawant has stated. The state has also taken decision to redevelop BDD chawls located at Worli, N M Joshi Marg, Naigaon and Shiwri.

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“Shiwri is located on the land of MbPT and proposed Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) road will pass through MbPT land. The redevelopment project of three BDD chawls has began recently but the Shiwri project is yet to began,” said Sawant.

“Some private buildings on MbPT land is old than 100 years and in dilapidated condition. They need to redevelop immediately. Hence, state government has to take initiative and make joint venture with MbPT,” Sawant demanded. He said he had raised the issue of redevelopment of slums located on MbPT land on site under SRA scheme. He said, “Nitin Gakari had approved his proposal. However, there is no move in Mantralaya and CMO sat on file,” Sawant blamed.

The idea to utilise unused port land was first mooted by the state government in 2001. It got a fresh lease of life when Gadkari constituted the land development committee. The prime stretch along Mumbai’s 28-kilometre eastern coastline from Colaba to Wadala is set to be the largest land parcel to come the space-starved city’s way.