Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) on Thursday initiated demolition of 20 vacant buildings at the Air India Colony, Vile Parle, Mumbai, as part of its expansion plan, leading to protests by Air India employees residing in the colony.
The Air India colony, with 100-odd buildings spread over a 184-acre land parcel, houses 350 families who are or were employees of the airline.
The land, which was originally leased by the state government to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), which in turn gave the land to Air India for housing its employees. With the Adani taking over control of the airport, it has asked Air India to return the land. MIAL said it needed the land for expansion of the airport.
“Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) has initiated the demolition of 20 uninhabited, dilapidated structures at the Air India Colony, conducted in strict adherence to the law and in accordance with the permission / handover granted by AIAHL, the PSU Asset Holding Company of erstwhile Air India. This has been done as part of its comprehensive redevelopment plan of the airport land. At present, no demolition steps have been undertaken for the remaining 80+ buildings within the colony which are currently occupied. Due process of law by filing eviction applications under the AAI Act are being followed for the same,” MIAL stated in a release.
MIAL said it has not so far carried out any demolition and no demolition steps have been proposed for the remaining 80+ buildings within the colony, adding that it is following a proper process of law by filing eviction applications under the AAI Act.
The residents have sought alternative accommodation or the right to stay until retirement. They have also moved the Supreme court after approaching the labour court, the consumer court, and the Bombay High Court, arguing for residence rights based on the leave and licence agreement signed at employment.
The Supreme Court will start hearing the petition on 13 February, but Adani is fast-tracking the demolition drive.
