Mumbai: The upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections are nearing completion. Keeping this context in mind, the demand to increase the height of slums in Mumbai city and suburbs has gained momentum. It is reported that for the last four decades, under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, the legal height of slums in congested areas has been restricted to just 14 feet. Despite forty years passing, there hasn’t been any proposal approved by the Municipal Corporation to increase the height of slums. However, there has been a persistent demand for an approval of 20 feet height instead of the legally mandated 14 feet.
According to information, many slum settlements in the eastern and western suburbs are settled in low-lying areas. Consequently, during every monsoon season, these slums face waterlogging issues. In several places, the situation worsens to the extent of flooding. In such scenarios, a large number of slum dwellers are compelled to seek refuge in nearby buildings, causing significant financial losses to the poor. It is worth noting that during the heavy rainfall on July 26, 2005, numerous people lost their lives due to flooding in several low-lying areas.
RTI activist Manohar Jariyal stated that if the height of slums is increased from 14 feet to 20 feet by the Municipal Corporation administration, it would resolve the waterlogging issues in the lower areas and provide relief to those residing in slums. Jariyal also mentioned that if a poor individual builds their slum above 14 feet, the Municipal Corporation threatens to demolish it, citing various laws. However, in specific areas of the suburbs, such as Sakinaka, Kurla, Govandi, and Mankhurd, the authorities from the Municipal Corporation and the Collector’s department allow the construction of three-story buildings due to their collaboration. Why injustice towards the poor? Manohar Jariyal has demanded the state’s Chief Minister, the Urban Development Minister, the Municipal Commissioner, and the officials of the Collector’s department to raise the slum height from 14 feet to 20 feet, ensuring relief for those living in the lower areas.
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Information Source : Internet
