Another hurdle on the Metro-III corridor is expected to be resolved as its consultants have worked out in situ rehabilitation plan for the project-affected persons (PAPs) of Girgaum and Kalbadevi llocalities.
The report, which was submitted by the consultants to the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), has been forwarded to the state government to seek concessions under the cluster redevelopment policy. A senior official said, “We want the project to be developed under the cluster policy to make a rehabilitation plan for these tenants viable.”
Currently, projects on plots measuring 4,000 square metres and above are eligible for approval under the cluster policy. In case of Metro-III, though, consultants have asked the government to relax the guidelines as the affected area would measure 2,000 sq m.
The official said, “We have requested the state government to consider our proposal under the cluster policy as a special case.” The MMRC has also reduced the area of the stations by 20-25m to ensure that the least number of structures get affected in these two areas.
A total of 26 buildingsin all, 737 familiesin the Kalbadevi and Girgaum areas would be affected by Metro-III.
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had promised in situ rehabilitation for the PAPs and provision for larger homes.
All the PAPs will get a minimum of 405 sq ft homes. Currently, those who have 100 or 150 sq ft tenements will get 405 sq ft. But if someone has a 250 sq ft tenement, then the person would get a 500 sq ft one, and for 300 sq ft, a 600 sq ft one.
The usual rules of rehabilitation will apply to those who have tenements measuring over 300 sq ft where the occupant will get up to 700 sq ft free and for more, he or she will have to pay the construction cost.
The first-ever underground Metro in the city will cover Colaba-Bandra-Seepz. Work is expected to begin this month.
The government has decided to allot 30 hectares inside Aarey Colony for construction of a depot, for which a final sanction is likely to come soon.
The MMRC has claimed that environmentalists should not have a problem as the number of trees to be hacked in Aarey have also been reduced and changing the location will mean an increase in project cost.
The MMRC had set a deadline to appoint a civil works contractor in October 2015 but escalation in cost has delayed awarding of the contract. Bruce Matthews Jersey
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