Ashley D’Mello | TNN
Land acquisition for the first line of the Mumbai Metro rail project
on the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar track has begun with the state government
issuing notices for acquisition of 1.38 lakh square metres of land in
Ambiwali village of Andheri.
State government officials said notices had been issued by the Urban
Development Department under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development
Authority Act, 1974, as the land was needed for a public purpose.
The 11-km long line will comprise a light railway with 12 stations which
is slated to cost Rs 3,546 crore and is being executed as a project with
public-private participation by Reliance Energy.
MMRDA officials admitted that getting land along this route would not be
easy as it was a heavily populated area. Recently, when land in the Andheri
station area was sought to be acquired for road widening there was staunch
opposition from hundreds of shopkeepers and residents who felt their
livelihood was at stake. The BJP has also opposed land acquisition in the
area.
BJP corporator Ashish Shelar said a total of eight lakh square feet in
the area
would be acquired, affecting thousands of people as well as schools and
other institutions.
Shelar said they had approached the government for relief but there was
no response. “We are going to court over the issue to stop the damage that
people and property will suffer,” he said.