Biometric Survey for Slum Rehabilitation in Navi Mumbai to Resume Following Hunger Strike

Mumbai, 6th August 2024: The biometric survey for slum rehabilitation under the SRA scheme in Navi Mumbai is set to resume on Monday. This decision follows an indefinite hunger strike by Navi Mumbai Shiv Sena chief Vijay Chougule, which began three days before demanding the continuation of the survey. The survey is expected to benefit around 50,000 slum residents by providing them with proper housing.

The survey, initially launched last September under the guidance of Industries Minister Uday Samant, was halted due to opposition. The survey had started in Chinchpada, Airoli, a stronghold of Chougule, but was suspended due to resistance allegedly linked to Airoli BJP MLA and former minister Ganesh Naik.

Chougule’s protest on August 1 led to a significant health decline, requiring medical intervention and saline treatment. In response, businesses in Airoli and surrounding areas shut down, with Shiv Sena leaders claiming the closure was in support of Chougule’s demands.

Thane MP Naresh Mhaske, along with SRA officials, met with Chougule and facilitated discussions with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Mhaske confirmed that the survey would recommence on Monday and urged Chougule to end his fast, which he did.

Mhaske expressed appreciation for Chougule’s dedication and noted that the Chief Minister, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, supported the survey’s resumption. He urged that the issue be kept free of political disputes.

Chougule thanked the Chief Minister, deputy CMs, and Mhaske for their support, expressing satisfaction that slum areas from Digha to Nerul Shivaji Nagar under MIDC jurisdiction would benefit from the scheme. He emphasized the focus on providing quality housing rather than concerns over FSI.

BJP Navi Mumbai chief Sandeep Naik dismissed Chougule’s accusations against Naik as politically motivated. He stressed the need for rehabilitation of all slum dwellers, not just those within the scheme’s specified cut-off dates, and called for inclusive stakeholder consultation to ensure the scheme’s effectiveness.

An official outlined that the survey will document hutments from pre-January 2000, which are protected by law and will receive free homes, as well as hutments up to January 1, 2011, eligible for homes on payment. The survey will involve door-to-door inspections, biometric data collection, and verification of residency.