Religious structures in way of key infrastructure projects

“Land acquisition from religious structures is a major problem. Changing alignment is not an option,so ultimately we have to negotiate hard and convince them. But it unnecessarily leads to delay in projects and cost escalations,” said Deputy Metropolitan Commissioner Anil Wankhede,adding that such issues need to be handled tactfully because of the religious sentiments involved.

The MMRDA had faced a few issues in securing right of way,or the ownership of land along the entire alignment,for the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro,costing Rs 2,356 crore. The problems were gradually sorted out,barring one — the Maheshwar temple on the Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road,where the Asalfa Metro station is to be constructed. The MMRDA had originally expected to complete the project in 2011 and has been having futile negotiations with the trust for more than two years. “We have kept a maha aarti in the temple to protect it. We won’t let the MMRDA touch our land,” said Ramesh Mane,member of the trust.

The SCLR,the cost of which has been revised several times to ultimately Rs 176 crore,is one of the most delayed projects with a horde of right of way issues. One such problem is the relocation of the Bal Gopal Hanuman Mandir. “The temple trust is ready to shift on a plot next to the Netaji Nagar buildings,but the residents are not in agreement and want us to give them that space for their pumping house,” said MMRDA planner P H Warawadekar.

Near the SCLR is the Amar Mahal junction flyover,the construction of which started in 2009. The Rs 75.33-crore project is stuck because of a mosque on the alignment where a pier needs to be constructed. The case is currently in the Bombay High Court.

Similarly,the Milan overbridge,work on which began in 2008,is still incomplete as a mosque and a madrasa right at the end of the bridge need to be demolished. The MMRDA has provided in-situ rehabilitation near the bridge and the trustees said they are ready to shift. However,some political parties have been opposing the settlement.

The JVLR,costing Rs 167 crore,has improved east-west connectivity in the city but a few impediments,including a Hanuman temple near IIT Powai,still bring traffic to a crawl. The MMRDA is now exploring the possibility of purchasing private land next to a nearby Ram temple and accommodate the Hanuman temple there. “Between the SCLR and JVLR there were 19 religious structures that we gradually shifted after negotiations,” said MMRDA spokesperson Dilip Kawathkar.