Mumbai Metro Line 9 is progressing at a fast pace; however, an ongoing land issue for the car shed between MMRDA and Locals may create a hindrance in completing the project in time.
The residents of three villages from Rai gaon, Morve, and Murdha have opposed the construction of car shed on their land as locals are dependent on the land for livelihood.
Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) requires 100 acres of land to construct the car shed for the Metro line 9 corridor. The land is in three villages under Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation’s jurisdiction.
The villagers have also approached state Urban Development minister Eknath Shinde in a letter suggesting that the car shed be constructed on government land Khopra-Uttan near Gorai Pagoda. They said a huge parcel of land is available to build the car shed.
Villagers have submitted around 457 applications to MMRDA to conduct social and environmental impact assessments. According to locals, around 329 farmers will be affected due to the car shed construction on their land. The villagers claim that the land is cultivated for paddy crops, and the villages will be left with no land if the car shed is constructed.
According to an official from MMRDA, the authority is preparing the social impact assessment and environmental impact assessment report. MMRDA held a public consultation meeting on Tuesday, June 7th, 2022, and invited stakeholders, locals, NGOs, and all interested people to share their views.
Around hundred villagers from Rai Gaon, Morve and Murdha attended the meeting. During the meeting, the farmers were firm on their decision and said they would not give their land to construct a car shed for the metro. They suggested several alternative sites for the car shed construction. MMRDA is waiting for the social impact assessment and environment impact assessment report and working out to resolve the issues with local farmers.