Kurla Christian Village Rejects Slum Label Proposal
Kurla Christian Village have voiced strong opposition against a proposed biometric survey by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) that threatens to categorise their centuries-old settlement as a slum. The notice for the survey, issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and posted around the village, has caused significant concern among the local population, who fear that the slum classification will hinder redevelopment and the protection of their homes.
The village, which consists of around 150 homes primarily inhabited by East Indian Catholic families with roots tracing back to the 16th and 17th centuries, is a cultural and historical landmark in Mumbai. Residents argue that their settlement, with its distinct character and long history, should not be labelled as a slum, as this designation would entitle them to rehabilitation under the SRA’s slum development schemes, potentially leading to the loss of their larger homes.
The controversy centres on the implications of such a classification. Under the slum redevelopment scheme, inhabitants are entitled to government-provided tenements of only 300 square feet. This is a far cry from the current homes, some of which are substantial, including villas. The residents’ concerns are further compounded by the potential for encroachment on gaothan lands historic villages that are a significant part of Mumbai’s urban fabric. Many believe that classifying these gaothans as slums would pave the way for land grabs and encroachment, stripping the community of its heritage.
In response to the notice, local advocacy groups have called for immediate action to have the survey cancelled and for the recognition of the village as a protected gaothan. They argue that there are over 180 such settlements within Mumbai that deserve demarcation to safeguard against future encroachment. Critics of the survey have also pointed to earlier similar attempts to categorise other gaothans, such as the Chimbai Gaothan in Bandra, which were successfully thwarted by vigilant residents.
As tensions rise, residents of Kurla Christian Village and their supporters continue to push for the immediate demarcation of their settlement, hoping to preserve both their homes and their heritage. This ongoing struggle raises important questions about the balance between urban redevelopment and the preservation of Mumbai’s historic communities.
