Nearly a year after the demolition of their residences in Darukhana, located on the eastern side of the city, local residents staged a march from their makeshift shelters to Azad Maidan on Thursday. Despite the destruction of their homes, many have remained on-site, living amidst the rubble, and the impending monsoon season has heightened their fears regarding their living conditions and the well-being of their children.
The land along the Eastern Freeway, traditionally occupied by warehouses and informal housing for many years, is owned by the Mumbai Port Trust Authority (MbPA), which operates under the federal government. Although these residents have lived in the area for multiple generations and possess documentation proving their longstanding presence—rooted in the employment of their forebears at the port—the absence of a housing policy from the MbPA means they have not been offered alternative accommodation.
On May 12, approximately 200 homes on New Tank Bundar Road were demolished, displacing around 500 individuals. MbPA officials have cautioned that additional informal settlements in the vicinity are also at risk of demolition as part of their plans to clear the land for development initiatives.
“Many of us have nowhere else to turn,” expressed Durai Raj, 47, during the protest. “The few belongings we salvaged have been stored with relatives or friends. Yet, we are still living on the very ground where our homes once stood, having flattened some of the area and covered the rubble with plastic.”
From their temporary shelters, about 1,000 individuals from Darukhana made their way to Reay Road station around 10 a.m., boarding a train to Azad Maidan as per permissions granted by the Sewri Police. Their demonstration aimed at the MbPA, calling for a comprehensive housing rehabilitation policy.
“The plight of women, children, and the elderly is particularly dire as they are forced to sleep outdoors, relying on a limited number of common toilets and with few belongings,” added fellow resident Shivakumar Thangasamy.
At the site of the demolitions, residents have resorted to cooking with portable gas cylinders, small stoves, or using wood and stones. While some have managed to lay down mattresses for sleeping, others have retrieved beds, ensuring women, children, and the elderly are given priority. Authorities dismantled a makeshift enclosure intended for women’s bathing, and a plastic cover for their cooking area was nearly blown away during the morning rains.
Raj voiced concerns regarding the upcoming monsoon, stating, “We are anxious about how we and our families will cope. Schools will soon reopen, and even if we find a rental place, we will struggle to enroll our children.”
In hopes of finding some relief before the monsoon, the residents organized the protest and are also preparing to approach the Bombay High Court. A group of protesters has been invited to meet with the Chief Minister.
Sabah Virani, a journalist for The Indian Express in Mumbai, focuses on infrastructure, housing, and urban issues, uncovering personal narratives amid the city’s ongoing developments.
Her expertise includes monitoring infrastructure projects across Mumbai and the broader Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), encompassing various developments like bridges and metro systems, while blending technical aspects with insightful reporting.
Sabah closely follows the activities of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and its projects, including transport initiatives and urban planning. She also tracks housing developments, particularly those involving the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), and major redevelopment efforts in Mumbai, such as the Dharavi Redevelopment Project and others.
Occasionally, she reports on environmental issues, biodiversity, and cultural topics.
Prior to her role at the Indian Express, Sabah reported on municipal and civic matters for Hindustan Times and covered various subjects for Citizen Matters. She has also worked as an editorial assistant at FiftyTwo.in.
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