Land slated for Dharavi redevelopment project sparks community conflict.
Residents of Kurla, organized under the group Lok Chalwal, were arrested by police during a protest opposing the transfer of the Kurla Mother Dairy plot to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. The land is intended for the rehabilitation of Dharavi residents, a decision that has sparked significant community opposition. This conflict represents a clash of interests between a major urban development initiative and the concerns of local residents.
The protest, which included members of the MNS and Shiv Sena, was organized after the group’s repeated attempts to contact Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis went unanswered. They had sent multiple letters to the Chief Minister requesting an appointment to discuss their concerns about the land transfer. The lack of a formal response led them to organize the protest as a way to voice their grievances publicly.
The demonstrators had planned to march in a “padyatra” from the Mother Dairy plot to Azad Maidan, with a smaller group intending to submit a memorandum at the Chief Minister’s residence. However, their plans were thwarted by the police, who arrested the protesters as they gathered. The protesters were then transported to Azad Maidan in a police van, and they were not allowed to proceed to the Chief Minister’s residence.
This event is a strong example of the challenges inherent in large-scale urban development, particularly when it involves land that is already in use. The decision to repurpose the Kurla Mother Dairy plot for the Dharavi project has created a direct conflict with the local community. For the agribusiness sector, this story is a reminder of how land use and public policy can have unforeseen impacts on dairy operations, even in a major metropolitan area.
Ultimately, the article serves as a piece of data journalism, highlighting the social and political friction that can arise from urban redevelopment projects. It shows how community groups, even when supported by political parties, can face resistance when challenging government-backed initiatives. The arrests and the failure to deliver a memorandum underscore the difficulties of achieving direct dialogue with policymakers in such disputes.
Source: The Times of India: Kurla residents arrested during protest against dairy land transfer to Dharavi project
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