Politicians across parties cry foul about MbPA’s slum demolition drive at Darukhana

The article notes MbPA is the largest landlord in Mumbai with large stretches of its land reportedly encroached. It also explains that most structures are pre-1995 and fall under Maharashtra's policy protecting huts built till January 1, 2000, while Centre-governed institutions have maintained that this policy does not apply to them.

MbPA chairperson N Angamutthu did not respond to multiple calls seeking comment on the demolition drive.

The Sena (UBT) leader stated that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs advisory mandates in-situ rehabilitation for hutment dwellers occupying land belonging to the Central Government or PSUs, contradicting MbPA's claim of having no rehabilitation policy.

Lodha said he would meet MbPA senior officers after appealing to them and urged consideration for residents. The article notes one resident is an Arjuna Award winner and the speaker indicated further engagement with MbPA.

Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora and BJP minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha expressed support for the hutment dwellers, criticizing MbPA for not following its own orders and noting residents' long occupancy since the 1990s.

Mumbai South MP and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for immediate intervention to protect the hutments.

Residents said they have documents showing they have lived on the site for decades and should be protected by law; they were backed by NGOs and politicians from BJP, Shiv Sena and Sena (UBT).

The Mumbai Port Authority began a major demolition drive against encroachments on its land near Kavala Bunder in Darukhana. The operation started at 7:00 am and finished by 11:00 am, leaving hundreds of slum dwellers on the streets.