Thane: Netas intervene, assure residents after railways slap evacuation notices

THANE: Thousands of residents staying along railway lines and on government land in Mumbai and Thane, who received evacuation notices from government agencies, have now found succor from local netas who have claimed to ensure the settlers aren’t rendered homeless.
While Shiv Sena MP Dr Shrikant Shinde representing Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency has reached out to Thane guardian minister Eknath Shinde and sought an intervention by the Union railway ministry, MLA Jitendra Awhad representing Mumbra assembly constituency has assured residents of intervening in the any form of action taken by the government agencies.
It may be noted that thousands of residents are staying on government land including those in close proximity to railway tracks at Kalwa, Mumbra, Kalyan and Dombivli among other suburbs in various parts of Mumbai metropolitan area. A government official requesting anonymity said they are simply adhering to the orders received from their headquarters to evacuate settlements in close proximity to the railway lines.
“It is really unfair to evacuate and render so many residents homeless at one stretch in the metropolitan region. Where will these residents go especially in these times of pandemic? I have stood with residents in the past when they were being evacuated and this time too I will oppose this move and stage a protest, if required, and stand by the residents,” said Awhad.
Meanwhile, MP Dr Shinde said he is requesting the Union railway minister Raosaheb Danve to ensure rehabilitation of the residents. “We respect the orders of the Supreme Court but several residents who have been slapped with notices have been staying for decades and are eligible for resettlement and rehabilitation. We have sought time for the same and are hopeful of finding out an amicable solution,” said Dr Shinde.
The issue was also raised before the district planning committee early this week at the behest of Dr Shinde following which Thane guardian minister Eknath Shinde is learnt to have instructed local civic bodies in the district to coordinate with the zonal railway administration and thrash out a solution for rehabilitation of the affected residents.