Surat, 22 July 2014

Indian Railways has started a drive to remove encroachment from its land. As a part of this drive, around 5,000 slum units are asked to leave Railway land from Surat to Bhestan on both sides of railway track by 25th of this month. Slum dwellers are opposing this move.

Gujarat Congress President Arjun Modhwadia rushed to Surat to lead a rally of slum dwellers on this issue on Monday.

In this rally, Congress leader Suresh Sonwane asked slum dwellers to keep sticks in hand and beat railway authority persons when they come to remove encroachment. Sonvane said this in presence of Gujarat Congress President on same stage.

Modhwadia threatened CHIPKO agitation on railway track if slum dwellers are asked to vacate encroachment in monsoon/Ramzan/Shrawan period without allotment of alternative land.

It should be mentioned here that one of the problems loss making Indian Railways is facing is huge illegal encroachment on its valuable land nationwide. Whenever some train passes through the city of Surat, only illegal slums are visible on both sides.

SMC plans major slum redevelopment project

Surat Municipal Corporation(SMC) has planned redevelopment of 14 slums in city. Of them redevelopment of Gandhinagar, Juna Depot and Islampura slums has to be taken up in the first phase, while rest of 11 slums will be taken up in later stage. Under the proposed plan, the land of these slums will be handed over to builders who will build apartments where slum dwellers will be settled. During the construction, slum dewellers will be provided alternative arrangement. The first phase involves redevelopment plant involving 2,000 people. Presentation on Jawaharnagar, Nehrunagar, Salimnagar, Gausiya Masjit, Ambedkarnagar, Anwarnagar, Umiyanagar, Vivekanandnagar, Navi Colonoy, Padmanagar, Halpativas and Khwajanagar slums will be held during this week.