Amrita Singh, Gurinder Chadha, Anju Mahendroo were in the protest against water deluge problems of Juhu. The event took place in Kaifi Azmi park on May 31st 2008. Unperturbed by the scorching heat and traffic, over 40 Juhu residents and activists got together to organise a dharna for the demolition of illegal encroachment by TRIG security services on the Irla nullah.
Taking the protest a step ahead, residents went on a day-long hunger strike as they sat occupying the footpath at a traffic signal on 10th Road, JVPD, yelling slogans against the BMC and TRIG.
Ashoke Pandit, activist and resident of JVPD who was part of the dharna said, “The TRIG security structure is illegal and is situated on the mouth of the Irla nullah. We have asked the BMC to demolish the structure and nothing has been done till date.†He added, “The structure at the mouth of the river obstructs the storm water from entering the nullah. This has been the reason why year after year, this area has been submerged.†According to residents the Chitale Committee recommendation clearly stated creating a catchment area by widening the nullah to 30 metres, which means clearing the encroachment in this area.
Residents have been protesting for the removal of the structure for the last three years and the BMC issued three demolishment orders for the removal of the structure but nothing has happened. According to residents, they succeeded in getting demolishment orders from Shreekant Singh, divisional commissioner, BMC but no action has been taken.
