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A massive row has broken out over the issue of "ownership" of the 47.5 acres of railway land to be used for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. The Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA) that has signed a lease deed with the Dharavi Redevelopment Project/Slum Redevelopment Authority (DRP/SRA) has refused to allow the land to be subleased. The land is vital to kickstart the project as the proposal is to carry out the first tranche of redevelopment on this land.
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Limited (DRPPL) has pointed out that DRP/SRA are state government bodies and the right to sub-lease the railway land in parts to several third parties or full to single third party be permitted under RLDA regulations.
DRP/SRA will not be able to use the land for residential purposes. Further value for commercial purposes will be very low. Only purpose it can be possibly used for are social amenities, such as crematorium and industrial sheds.
DRPPL has said that the delay in handing over the land will substantially delay timeline for completion of rehabilitation within seven years which will be in breach of the MoU signed.
The RLDA, on the other hand, has pointed out that redevelopment of existing quarters and other service building shall be completed before initiation of dismantling of existing structures on railway land. The shifting of the scrap yard is to be done by the DRP/SRA. As soon as the set up at the new location is completed shifting of Mahim scrapyard will be initiated by the Railways.
