Don't demolish our houses... it's exam time

18 families living illegally in Asalpha vow to fast until death, as the MMRDA plans to destroy their homes to make way for the ongoing Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar metro rail project

18 families living illegally in Asalpha vow to fast until death, as the MMRDA plans to destroy their homes to make way for theu00a0 ongoing Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar metro rail project

Nearly 18 families in Asalpha, Ghatkopar, have vowed to fast till death to protest the illegal status given to them by MMRDA even though they've been staying there for 40 years. Three housing societies will be demolished, as they come in the alignment of the ongoing Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar metro rail project.



Eighteen of the 68 families living there will lose their homes. And what's irritating them even more is that the dates of demolition March 2, 3 and 4 clash with the ongoing Std X, XII and school examinations.

Delay demolition

Chandrakant Pawar, whose son Nikilesh is giving his Std XII board exam, said, "Nikilesh is not able to concentrate on his studies as he sees me on an indefinite hunger strike and his mother spends most of the time accompanying me, although she is not on strike."

Nikilesh too sits in the dharna after writing his exam every day.

Dattaram Mahalim, another resident, added, "The MMRDA should consider factors like examinations, which are important for a student's career. We are ready to give them time till the examinations are over. They should also clear loopholes in their system and give rooms to all families."

Postponed

However, MMRDA officials say they can't delay demolition dates indefinitely, as there is always some occasion or the other throughout the year.

A Wankhede, assistant metropolitan commissioner, said, "We cannot help if there are examinations, but we have postponed the dates by four more days. Moreover, we are giving them immediate resettlement at Kanjurmarg, which shouldn't bother them."

But after residents complained of a mismatch in the names and their allotment numbers, Wankhede said they would verify the details and rehabilitate everyone who is eligible without causing any injustice.

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