The BMC is moving forward with a road construction project in Chandivali, despite not having acquired the necessary land. The road was planned as part of a 30-year-old development plan. The BMC started construction of the road but got stuck at one-third of the stretch. The land for the remaining road is full of encroachments. Local residents protested, leading to eviction notices and re-initiation of tenders. Only two bids were received for the tender. The BMC extended the timeline due to a lack of response. The BMC emphasizes the work will commence after land acquisition but the DP department, responsible for land acquisition, faces criticism for delays. Citizens question the delayed acquisition process and inaction against encroachments and urge timely action for road development in Chandivali.
In Chandivali, the BMC is undertaking the construction of a Development Plan (DP) road without having secured the essential land. Chandivali residents have been advocating for the construction of the proposed DP Road to alleviate vehicular traffic in the area.
The road was initially conceptualized 30 years ago in the BMC's development plan. One-third of the stretch was constructed a few years ago. The remaining construction did not happen and thus the road came to be used as a parking lot. The remaining stretch traverses land belonging to a private developer and a central government corporation, both plagued by encroachments.
In response to local residents' hunger strike on August 20, the BMC's road department invited tenders for the construction of Chandivali Farm Road up to JVLR. Simultaneously, the L ward officials, covering Chandivali and Kurla, issued eviction notices to encroachers. Only two bids were received for the road construction tender. The original deadline for tender submissions was September 21, but due to a lack of response, it was extended.
The eastern suburbs road department engineer emphasized that the actual work would commence only after the BMC acquires the land. Sunil Rathod, Chief of the DP department responsible for land acquisition, has not responded to calls and messages. Encroachments on the land add further complexity, with no clarity on when they will be removed.
Dhanaji Herlekar, Assistant Commissioner of L ward, stated that the legal process would take time. Notices have been served to illegal structures, and plans involve removing 70-80 structures on land reserved for roads. Additionally, 800-900 structures on private land need removal, though Herlekar did not provide a deadline.
Criticism has been directed at the BMC for not initiating the acquisition process sooner. The DP department and the ward office have yet to take definitive steps in acquiring the land, which is currently encumbered by encroachments. Mandeep Singh Makkar, founder of the Chandivli Citizens Welfare Association (CCWA), argued that the 70-80 structures could easily be removed with proper accommodation alternatives for eligible residents.
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