Kolis bristle over relaxed coastal zone regulations……….Shweta Desai
Kolis, believed to be the first residents of Mumbai, are gearing up for an agitation against the Centres relaxation of the Coastal Regulation Zone norms allowing private developers to build in koliwadas and gaothans. They have threatened not to allow it, saying they fear the builders would grab their ancestral land by the sea.
The coastal city has 32 koliwadas, primarily inherited by the people of the fishing community. Norms have been relaxed for CRZ II, which includes 150 slum clusters, 4,000 old and dilapidated buildings, koliwadas, gaothans, allowing redevelopment with no restriction on the FSI. Joint ventures between the government (51 per cent stake) and private developers (49 per cent) can now undertake redevelopment,
The coastal city has 32 koliwadas, primarily inherited by the people of the fishing community. Norms have been relaxed for CRZ II, which includes 150 slum clusters, 4,000 old and dilapidated buildings, koliwadas, gaothans, allowing redevelopment with no restriction on the FSI. Joint ventures between the government (51 per cent stake) and private developers (49 per cent) can now undertake redevelopment,
The move is clearly meant to benefit builders, said Rambhau Patil, president, Maharashtra Macchimar Kriti Samiti. Though CRZ norms are problematic for us we supported the restrictions. These relaxations would harm the coastal management for Mumbai.
He said Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, on his last visit, had promised private developers would not be allowed to build in CRZ II. Even the draft CRZ notification says the same, then why make concession for Mumbai. Ramesh has gone back on his word.
Koli societies and leaders will meet soon to decide a future course of action. Patil said they would write to Ramesh and Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and take out a morcha in Delhi. All koliwadas would also be directed to block private developers, Patil said.
A Koli leader in Juhu said, When we sought to repair or demolish our old houses, the local body never gave us permissions. Now suddenly private development is allowed.
Some Kolis welcomed the relaxation. We would at least be able to live in better houses now, said Jagdish Bhikru, chairman of Manvi Gali Jamat, Versova Beach, whose house had been demolished by the BMC for crossing the FSI limit.