MUMBAI: Around 400 residents, including women and children, formed a human wall on Tuesday to prevent the demolition of approximately 120 homes in Mumbai’s Darukhana area. The Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA) had issued a notice for the demolition, citing court directives and characterising the structures as unauthorized encroachments and a security threat.
Residents Resist Demolition Efforts
The standoff began on Tuesday morning when residents, anticipating the arrival of MbPA officials and police, came out in large numbers to block access to their homes. By 1 p.m., the officials, including police, had retreated without carrying out the demolition. The residents, many of whom claim to have lived in the area since 1995 or earlier and are registered on the voter rolls, stated their refusal to vacate their homes.
A notice served on April 17 had given the approximately 120 households, spread across two settlements of 98 and 20 homes on New Tank Bunder Road, seven days to vacate. The notice warned that failure to comply would result in the demolition of the structures and the sale of residents’ valuables to recover costs. Subsequently, on April 22, the Sewri police issued another notice confirming the demolition dates and imposed a prohibitory order against assemblies of five or more people.
Long-Standing Settlements Face Eviction
Many of the residents are workers who have settled in the vicinity of the area’s workshops and factories over decades. Shanti Tai, a resident and member of the Mumbai Port Ghat Hakk Sangharsh Samiti, stated that the community organized early in the morning to ensure a strong presence and prevent officials from proceeding with the demolition.
The residents have been urged by authorities to seek a stay order against the demolition from the courts. The MbPA’s actions are reportedly based on recent court directives, which have led to the classification of these homes as unauthorized and illegal encroachments. The Mumbai Port Authority has been involved in demolition drives in the Darukhana area for years, with past incidents including the demolition of over 600 shanties in 2014.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions between urban development projects and long-term residents in Mumbai, particularly in areas with historical settlements near port lands. Previous reports indicate that residents in similar situations have faced challenges in seeking alternative accommodation, as demolition drives often proceed without a clear housing policy for the affected populations. The residents’ successful obstruction of the demolition on Tuesday underscores the community’s determination to protect their homes amidst these development pressures.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
