WR expansion: Vasai residents unhappy with compensation; demand market rate

Hundreds of residents, including shop owners, of six societies,are unhappy that they are being offered basic rates for their flats and shops by the government. The expansion of western railways' 5th & 6th line between Virar and Borivli is being planned and these six buildings will have to make way for this expansion. The residents have said that a flat which has a market rate of around Rs 50/55 lakh and shops which are quoted around Rs 1 crore, as these properties are close to the Vasai station on the west side, the government is offering Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, respectively. While the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) says that their job is limited to coordination and project implementation, the Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) of Vasai says that the compensation is as per the government norms. Earlier this week they had organised a silent protest near their societies listed regarding the compensation offer. These residents claimed that they have been staying over there for the last 35/40 years.
Navin Rawal, chairman of the Jayesh Krupa society, which has 54 units, including around 32 shops, said that we have been offered a total of Rs 7.5 crore as compensation, which is far below the market rate. All our units are close to the station and the cost of such properties is more than what is being offered.
Chartered accountant Arun Malviya having his office in one of those buildings said that the business would be hit once residents leave this place and there is no assessment done of this. This will also impact the school going kids and the entire family. Some social assessment must be done, compensation decided accordingly.
Ashok Chaudhary, secretary of the society of one of the buildings, said The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 is not being followed. "We have no objection to projects but should be compensated adequately," he said.
Joel Dsouza, from Shiv Shakti CHS, said, "With the kind of compensation offered to us, we will end up becoming tenants."
"The compensation for land acquisition is carried out strictly as per the provisions of the 2013 Act. The final assessment and determination of compensation is done by the Competent Authority appointed by the District Collector. MRVC’s role is limited to project implementation, coordination and demarcation of land required for the project", said Sunil Udasi, chief public relations officer, MRVC.
Vasai sub divisional officer (SDO) Shekhar Ghadge said “The compensation has been issued as per the LARR Act 2013 and due process has been followed. The land cost is calculated by the assistant director town planning and flat construction cost by the PWD, plus Solatium is added to this.” He also mentioned that a group representing these 6 societies had met him last week regarding their unhappiness about the amount offered as compensation, they were informed about the process and were also told to approach the arbitration incase they were dissatisfied.