Mumbai: A dozen FIRs have been filed against slumlords in Aarey colony since March.Aarey colony CEO Shrikant Shipurkar, who filed these FIRs, is in the process of filing another 10 FIRs against anti-social elements responsible for the growth of illegal structures in the eco-sensitive zone.“We have filed these FIRs under the BNSS. We are also trying to file FIRs under the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act. Since March we have demolished over 350 unauthorised structures across Aarey colony but they keep coming back. It is these slumlords who rebuild the structures despite repeated demolitions,” he said.Shipurkar said inadequate manpower is one of the biggest constraints in preventing encroachments, unauthorised debris dumping and the hawker menace. Nearly 800 acres of Aarey colony has been declared a forest. Often debris is dumped on forest land.“Action against these activities requires coordination between the forest dept, BMC, police and Aarey, which we now do,” he said.Local MP Ravindra Waikar has sought permission for raising a flag post near unit number 5 in Aarey. He has been informed that unless the high-powered committee for the ESZ does not approve the plan, an NOC will not be issued.Waikar has pointed to the unauthorised constructions in Aarey and asked why the same rules are not applied here. Shirpurkar said since Aarey is an ESZ there are standing instructions from the CM that no NOC is to be issued unless the proposal is cleared by the HPC.There are 46 sites in Aarey where there are tribal hamlets and slums spread over 180 acres. The state govt has proposed the rehabilitation of both tribals and slum-dwellers on 33.6 acres near Vanrai along the Western Express Highway. This is expected to free up 180 acres in Aarey. The SRA has been directed to carry out a biometric survey of all residents of hamlets and slums in Aarey.
