No alternative accommodation for Nasirnagar project-affected people, corporation's stand clear

A proposal regarding not providing alternative accommodation to the project-affected people of Nasirnagar was submitted by the administration of Surat Municipal Corporation before the standing committee. According to Sandesh's report, the corporation has clarified that no policy is in effect to provide alternative accommodation to project-affected people after anti-encroachment operations. The rulers have clarified their stand by approving this proposal. Now, after presenting this proposal in the general board, this issue is going to become very important in the hearing to be held in the High Court in the coming time.

Standing Committee Chairman Rajan Patel stated that the proposal presented by the administration clarifies that when a property encroaching upon a TP road or public road is removed, no policy is in effect to provide alternative accommodation. After deliberations on this matter, the committee has approved the proposal. The proposal mentions that as per standing committee resolution number 346/1980 dated 13 June 1980, a 40-feet alignment line was placed at this site. The original owner had handed over the possession of this land to the corporation before the month of March itself. At that time the land was open, and subsequently unauthorized constructions were made in the open space of the public road between the alignment line received by the corporation.

The case regarding the disputed demolition of Nasirnagar is currently ongoing in the High Court. The court had also raised the issue of alternative accommodation for the affected people several times earlier. Taking the corporation's previous affidavit and clarification seriously, the High Court had ordered the Municipal Commissioner and the Standing Committee Chairman to remain present in the court. The court had urged to present a specific policy for making alternative arrangements for the affected people. Now it remains to be seen what stand is adopted in the court after this new decision of the corporation.