MVA will scrap Dharavi Redevelopment Project: Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad
- In Reports
- 05:02 PM, Oct 18, 2024
- Myind Staff
Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad on Friday criticised the Dharavi slum redevelopment project, labelling it the "world's biggest land scam." She asserted that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would scrap the project if it returned to power in Maharashtra.
Speaking to reporters, Gaikwad accused the Adani Group, which is executing the redevelopment, of benefiting from irregularities. She questioned why 1,000 acres of land, including non-development zones, salt pans, and dumping grounds, were being handed over to the conglomerate. "Why is 1,000 acres of land being given to Adani for the Dharavi Redevelopment project?" she asked, emphasising the project's controversial land allocations.
Gaikwad, a four-time MLA from Dharavi, also criticised the project for planning to relocate 7 lakh residents outside Dharavi, despite it being promoted as an in-situ redevelopment. "The tender says that 7 lakh people will be rehabilitated outside of Dharavi. But the Dharavi redevelopment is an in-situ project, where the project-affected people should be rehabilitated on-site," she said, expressing concerns that residents were not being consulted. She further added, "We [Dharavi slum] are a Rs 100 crore microfinance industry, and still we are not consulted."
She firmly stated that the MVA, if voted back into power, would scrap the project, alleging it to be a massive land scam. "After the MVA comes to power in the state, we will scrap the redevelopment project. This project is the world's largest land scam. An inquiry should be carried out into it," she added.
Dharavi, located in central Mumbai, is one of Asia’s largest slum clusters and a hub for small-scale industries producing items like medicines, leather goods, footwear, and clothes. The redevelopment project has been a subject of controversy, with the MVA alleging irregularities.
Gaikwad also addressed the political relationship between Congress and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT), remarking that their previous rivalry was a thing of the past. "We did have ideological differences, but we have been working in harmony—be it during the MVA government or later during the COVID-19 pandemic," she said, adding that their alliance is now deep and harmonious. "We helped each other during the Lok Sabha polls, and people gave us a strong mandate. We have a deep relationship."
Speaking on upcoming elections, Gaikwad revealed that seat-sharing talks within the MVA are progressing smoothly, with decisions made on 75-80% of assembly seats. She mentioned that the formula for seat distribution is likely to be announced before October 22, when the nomination process starts. "Winnability is our criteria," she said.
Gaikwad also shot at the ruling Mahayuti government, accusing it of prioritising Gujarat’s interests over Mumbai's, especially concerning the shifting of the diamond trade business, the International Financial Services Centre, and the bullet train project. She alleged that funds from the fixed deposits (FDs) of the Mumbai civic body were being diverted, and civic land was being sold. "We hear that funds from the fixed deposits of the Mumbai civic body are being used, and its land is also being sold," she said.
Gaikwad further highlighted the plight of Maharashtra's youth due to the repeated cancellation of Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) exams, saying, "Can you imagine what the youth is facing?"
She also pointed to the alleged deterioration of law and order and corruption, stating that even funds for the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had been misused. "Law & order has deteriorated, while the authorities indulge in corruption even in the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," she said.
Gaikwad brushed aside any speculations of factionalism within the Mumbai Congress, affirming unity among leaders. "We work together. A 'Nyay Yatra' was undertaken by the Mumbai Congress, in which all leaders participated," she said.
Regarding infrastructure projects, she claimed that the Mahayuti government was taking undue credit for projects like the Coastal Road and Metro Rail, which she said were conceptualised by the previous Congress government. "Instead of devising strategies to stop traffic congestion, this government is taking credit for these projects. Public funds are being given to the MLAs of ruling parties," she alleged.
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