The ambitious expansion of National Fire Service College (NFSR) seems to have hit a roadblock. Though the project was cleared by the Union home ministry, some portions of the project could be put on hold since slum dwellers who have encroached on its land at Raj Nagar are refusing to vacate the land.
To protest the notice issued by National Fire Service College on May 28, around 800 dweller from Raj Nagar slums took out a morcha to the new collector Saurabh Rao on Wednesday afternoon. The protest was led by NCP corporator Prakash Gajbhiye, who claimed that the land originally belonged to the state government and was given to the fire college in the 1980s.
Director of NFSR S Shamim has refused to spare the 'encroached' land. According to him, if the dwellers aren't moved from there, the fire college won't be able to start the construction of an auditorium and a workshop.
Gajbhiye and the slum dwellers have said that it is not reasonable to remove a four-decade-old slum. They also point out that the dwellers have even been given electricity connections. "It is unjust to make poor people homeless, especially when the monsoon is approaching," said Gajbhiye.
He also submitted a memorandum to mayor Archana Dehankar and additional commissioner Vishnupad Bute, requesting them not to participate in the anti-encroachment drive as it is a matter connected to Central government.
The college authorities had planned an auditorium and workshop for students on the encroached land. Shamim is not willing to compromise on the issue, and said that he will go according to the rules of the Central government.
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