RailEnquiry

NAGPUR: Central Railway's (CR) proposed third railway line project between Nagpur and Wardha is facing a huge hurdle in the form of three slums that stand on the land needed for the railway line. They are notified slums and cannot be removed without rehabilitation.This is the second railways project to be hit by encroachment problem. The Nagpur-Kalamna additional line is not being built as much of the route has been encroached upon and railways have been unable to remove it owing to political pressure. Something similar is brewing here too.On May 4, CR officials had announced removal of Saraswati Nagar, Fakirawadi and Takia slums. Around 1,800 people are residing in these slums situated on 2.67 acres land beside the railway line behind the office of NMC's Dhantoli Zone. Following the announcement, the slum-dwellers led by corporator Sandip Joshi met the officials of CR and demanded withdrawal of decision. The officials reportedly gave an ultimatum of eight days and warned that the slums may be removed on May 13.Joshi asserted that railways could not remove the slums as they were notified by the NMC. "We are not opposing any development project. The CR wants to construct third railway line. Total 192 shanties are located on the land bearing khasra no: 289/1, 291 and 293/1 belonging to NMC and nazul. NMC had notified these slums in 1981. It also gave ownership rights to 86 slum-dwellers before 1980. Many of them are having property tax receipts and also voting I-cards of before 1995.According to State government's GR dated July 10, 2002, such require rehabilitation following due process. The CR officials have not issued any notice for their demolition. Therefore, the slums would remain. At present, our priority is to stop the CR from razing the slums. If required for developmental project, CR should follow the legal process with consent of NMC," he said.Joshi further said the slum-dwellers went to meet MP Vilas Muttemwar too asking for protection. "CR officials had said Muttemwar got the third railway line project sanctioned from the Central government. Therefore, the slum-dwellers decided to meet him but got no respite from Muttemwar. With no options left, the slum-dwellers filed a petition with the High Court. The High Court directed the CR not to undertake any demolition without consulting NMC. It also issued notices asking replies from CR and NMC. I have met mayor Anil Sole and informed him of the matter," he said.