‘Consider two plots for people displaced near Tansa pipeline’

The Bombay High Court on Monday asked the Maharashtra government to consider allotting two plots, reserved for a cancer hospital and a public housing project, to rehabilitate over 60,000 people, whose houses near the Tansa water pipeline were demolished by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

A Division Bench of Justices A.S. Oka and Riyaz Chagla was informed that while some of the affected families were rehabilitated at Mahul, several are yet to get alternative accommodation.

“It would be appropriate if the government could consider two plots at Marol and Dindoshi, which, as per the earlier Development Plan (DP), were reserved for a cancer hospital and a public housing project, for these people,” the court said while hearing a PIL. The petition raised concerns over the hazards caused to the water pipeline due to construction of residential and commercial establishments near it.

The government told the court that it is yet to finalise the revised draft DP for the metropolis.

Justice Oka said, “Considering the gravity of the situation, the State will have to either consider de-reservation of these two plots or immediately make available some other place.”

Thousands of tenements located within 10 metres of the Tansa water pipeline were demolished by the civic body following a HC order.

The court said its order cannot be delayed or suspended because of absence of rehabilitation plans. “The demolition is important and necessary to ensure continued water supply to the citizens of Mumbai.”

The Bench directed the government to file an affidavit by April 20.