“Permanent Rehabilitation of Residents in Sanjay Gandhi National Park is Essential” – Deputy CM Eknath Shinde

Mumbai : Sanjay Gandhi National Park serves as the lungs of Mumbai, and preserving its ecological balance is crucial. Equally important is the rehabilitation of the residents living within the park. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed that these residents be permanently rehabilitated.

Shinde emphasized that rehabilitation must take place within a 10-kilometre radius of the park. As per court directives, all civic amenities should be provided at the new rehabilitation sites. He further instructed that care should be taken to avoid displacing residents to distant locations, which could cause inconvenience.

While planning the rehabilitation, officials must ensure that residents receive spacious homes by offering them additional floor space index (FSI). The Deputy CM also proposed that land in Gorakshadham be considered for rehabilitation purposes and asked for a site inspection to verify its suitability. A separate meeting with the Forest Department was also recommended to discuss the availability of forest land for rehabilitation.

A meeting regarding the rehabilitation of residents from both the Joggers’ Park area on the Airports Authority of India land in Vile Parle and Sanjay Gandhi National Park was held at the Sahyadri Guest House. Attendees included former Legislative Council member Vidya Chavan, former MLA Kiran Pawaskar, Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Additional Chief Secretary to the Deputy CM Aseem Gupta, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department K. Govindaraj, and CEO of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority Dr. Mahendra Kalyankar, among others.

While reviewing the redevelopment of buildings in the airport’s funnel zone, Deputy CM Shinde stated that suggestions and objections have been invited on the matter. The redevelopment policy will be refined after carefully examining this feedback to address any gaps. He assured that any difficulties faced by residents in the funnel zone regarding redevelopment will be resolved.

Shinde also mentioned that discussions will be held with the Airports Authority of India to retain the Joggers’ Park in Vile Parle East in its current form. If this open space is part of the development plans of residential staff quarters in the area, it should be verified and preserved during the redevelopment process.