Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad has alleged that Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) CEO Sanjeev Jaiswal threatened a city resident who was demonstrating against a redevelopment project.
Gaikwad’s reaction came after a video showed Jaiswal addressing a Motilal Nagar resident, who was holding a placard, in a threatening tone. The bureaucrat reportedly asked the police to check the person’s identity card and said, “If you turn out to be a ghuskhor (illegal migrant), we will remove you from here itself.”
Redevelopment presentation at Motilal Nagar
A presentation on the redevelopment of Motilal Nagar in Goregaon (West), Mumbai, was held in Jaiswal’s presence on Friday.
In a post on X on Sunday, Gaikwad alleged that officials were being used to intimidate residents protesting against land acquisition and redevelopment plans. “Once a project goes to Adani, citizens lose all their democratic rights and cannot even protest,” she claimed.
The Adani Group has partnered with MHADA to redevelop Motilal Nagar, which is spread across 143 acres.
Claims of intimidation in Dharavi project
Gaikwad further alleged that similar instances of intimidation were witnessed during surveys linked to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. She claimed that police personnel threatened residents who participated in protests and that a senior police inspector in Shahu Nagar behaved “rudely” with elected representatives.
Residents were allegedly told that they could not challenge decisions related to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project in court. “If a project belongs to a friend of the Prime Minister, do citizens have no rights left? What kind of dictatorship is this?” she asked.
BJP reacts to controversy
Pravin Darekar, BJP MLC, also objected to Jaiswal’s behaviour. “The bureaucrat’s language was inappropriate. He should apologise to the residents,” Darekar told PTI on Sunday.
Residents divided over project
According to sources, the protester was among a group of residents demanding that the approved redevelopment area for them be increased from 1,600 sq ft to 2,400 sq ft.
However, after Jaiswal left, some residents came onto the dais and expressed support for the redevelopment. They said those opposing the project should be ignored and urged MHADA to consider the larger interests of all residents.
Project details and rehabilitation plan
Spread across 143 acres in Goregaon, the project is being undertaken under the Construction & Development Agency (C&DA) model by the Adani Group, officials said.
The state government has granted special planning authority status to MHADA for implementing the project, which is targeted for completion within seven years after receiving the Occupation Certificate.
Under the plan:
3,702 eligible residential beneficiaries will receive free rehabilitation units of about 1,600 sq ft each
328 eligible commercial occupants will be allotted units of 987 sq ft each
Around 1,600 slum dwellers will be rehabilitated with 300 sq ft units under Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) provisions
MHADA will also receive a significant housing stock as part of the redevelopment, according to officials.
(With PTI inputs)
