While Mumbai Port Trust tenants fear sudden eviction for the sake of city’s nightlife, the trust’s chairman clears the air and separates fact from fiction
Fear stalks the southern tip of the city, where the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) tenants are worried if they will have a roof over their heads after the proposed redevelopment of the port lands was announced in May. Fearing sudden eviction, the tenants are holding meetings and protests in the city. Politicians too have jumped on to the bandwagon, assuring scared tenants of protection from eviction.
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Sanjay Bhatia: MbPT land is MbPT land
So, mid-day interviewed MbPT chairman Sanjay Bhatia about the future course of this deal, and if SoBo residents should be worried. Excerpts...
Q. What do you have to say about the residents’ fear of sudden eviction?
A. Is that even possible? We have been in litigation with certain tenants for 15-20 years. Are they now fearful they will lose the case?
Q. Do you know Colaba residents have been holding meetings as they think MbPT will take over their buildings?
A. We don’t plan anything in Colaba. We are in possession of certain lands in the area where they have a number of government bodies but we are planning this redevelopment on the open lands.
Q. Why, after years of status quo, has the Port Trust become aggressive all of a sudden? Is the perception that the Port Trust is going to swoop down true?
A. I do not know if ‘swoop’ is the correct word. For years now, some landlords have not been paying rent to the MbPT. Also, some properties have been sub-let for 10 times the rent. Those who have not been paying rent to the MbPT need to be worried now. If leases have expired, we are also ready to renew them.
Q. What are your plans for port lands in the city? Will a Burj Khalifa be built?
A. We are going to explore the Eastern side, which is not open to the public right now. We are planning an 11-km walkway, schools, hospitals and also promotion of cruise tourism.
Q. Since many plans like this have remained on paper, people have become cynical. What do you say about this one?
A. I see this becoming a reality within the next five years.
Q. Is the rumour that MbPT had a hand in the June Metro House fire to get their building back true?
A. Metro House? It is not our building, the plot it stands on is. I cannot believe that such canards are spreading. Can we set fire to places to get our land back? Ha ha ha
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