BMC allots PAP homes to 222 Mahim Fort families

MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday conducted a lottery and issued allotment letters to 222 families who were living inside Mahim Fort since the 1970s.
The families will be moved to Project Affected Person (PAP) units in Malad and Kurla which the BMC has taken from the SRA and MMRDA.

“The residents were happy that they are getting alternate accommodation. I have asked the BMC to immediately demolish the empty structures and appoint an agency to begin the restoration work," said Mumbai City guardian minister Aslam Shaikh.
He added, "The restoration work must be done as per heritage rules and regulations. These are some families who were ineligible. The BMC must give them more time to submit any relevant documents if they have them.
There were a total of 264 families living inside the Mahim fort and of these 222 families were found to be eligible for PAP accommodation.
Officials said that the others have been given time to produce relevant documents and once they are found to be eligible; they will also be allowed alternative accommodation.
Reported to be built between 1140 and 1241, Mahim Fort is entirely encroached by shanties, some built along the fort walls.
Officials said that the load on the structure has damaged the walls, with deep cracks in the walls, raising concerns about its structural stability too.
It stands on land owned by the Centre's customs department.