MUMBAI: Continuing their longstanding battle for what they believe is their rightful entitlement, the appellants of Basera SRA Cooperative Housing Society in Bharat Nagar, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), have filed writ petitions in the Bombay High Court. They are seeking larger 550 sq ft units instead of the smaller 225 sq ft options proposed under the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme.
The petitioners argue that Basera society should not be classified as a slum, and therefore, they are entitled to 550 sq ft flats in accordance with MHADA 33(5) of DCPR.
A boost for the petitioners comes from the Apex Grievance Redressal Committee (AGRC), which has placed a stay on demolition notices issued on July 22 and 23 to 80 appellants who challenged notices under Sections 33/38 of the Slum Act. The AGRC has requested developers to clarify how they will uphold the appellants’ rights if found eligible under MHADA 33(5) and to present an action plan, including submission of plans and payment of rents, by the next hearing.
The ongoing struggle for the Basera residents has spanned at least three decades, with the redevelopment project changing hands multiple times before being taken over by the Adani Group (via Sunbourne Developers), which is currently implementing the redevelopment plan.
Frustrated by the prolonged delay, residents are organizing Jan Aakrosh Morchas at the District Collector’s office on September 29 and October 14. They are demanding the cancellation of the SRA scheme, accountability for officials, and redevelopment following MHADA standards. These protests are expected to attract significant participation, as residents call for the government to annul the SRA project, penalize corrupt officials, and ensure redevelopment adheres to MHADA regulations.
Faisal Farooqui, a resident of Basera, stated, “BKC is the most expensive real estate in India, and I am a native here. Since 1975, we have been living as MHADA tenants, with official allotment letters and rent receipts to substantiate our claim. While industry tycoons prospered as Bombay transformed into Mumbai, our demand for 550 sq ft 2BHK flats under the MHADA 33(5) scheme has been overlooked. If citizens of Mumbai don’t rally behind us now, inequality and injustice will only increase.”
Shama Rashid, also from Bharat Nagar, added, “We received our MHADA allotment letters in 1975 and have consistently paid all rents and service charges. No society meetings were conducted in 1996, and since 2012, we have been battling for our rights. As of 2022, the builder is attempting to forcibly evict us without adhering to SRA regulations. Despite 70% of residents opposing this project, over 700 residents received eviction notices within a mere 10 days, with threats that failure to vacate could result in losing the promised Rs 21 lakh in compensation, leaving us with only Rs 2 lakh.”
Firoz Inamdar, another Basera resident, emphasized, “Basera comprises 3,145 structures established in 1975. We have already been developed under the Slum Clearance Scheme, continuing to pay all required taxes and rents. Yet, the builder is ignoring MHADA criteria for redevelopment and is instead pushing a development plan under SRA regulations solely to benefit themselves.”
The Adani team has not responded to Mirror’s inquiries at the time of publication.
