Question : BASIC AMENITIES TO SLUM IN MUMBAI

(a) whether the Government are aware that there are 50 slum pockets located on railway land in Mumbai where basic amenities could not be provided in the absence of `No Objection Certificate` from Railways;

(b) if so, the details thereof together with reasons for not issuing NOC by Railway authorities;

(c) whether the Railways had imposed certain conditions to accord NOC for slums;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Railways have made any agreement with the Government of Maharashtra in regard to NOC; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the NOC would be issued?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS AND MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI O. RAJAGOPAL)

(a) to (f): A statement is attached.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 870 BY SHRI PRAKASH V. PATIL TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.11.2001 REGARDING BASIC AMENITIES TO SLUM IN MUMBAI.

(a) & (b): The Government is aware of encroachments on Railway land in Mumbai. As per normal policy of the Railways, unauthorised encroachments are to be removed to clear the railway land of the encroachers. However, in the case of encroachers in Mumbai a meeting was held in 1998 with officers of the State Govt. and it was indicated that Railways can examine the feasibility of granting NOC after receipt of request from the State Govt. No such request has been received.

(c) & (d): Yes, Sir. Following conditions were to be fulfilled:

(i)	A clear plan is to be submitted by the State Govt. for connecting the proposed	toilets to Municipal underground sewers.

(ii)	All encroachments in safety zone(10 meters from central line of last track on either	side) be removed.

(iii)	A wall be constructed by the State Govt. after removing slums as in 
(ii) above at	10 meters from central line of last track to prevent encroachments in the area cleared.

(iv)	It should be linked to encroachments of prior to 1.1.1985.

(v)	Applications should be made through the State Govt.

(vi)	Commitment by the State Govt. that all such Railway lands where civic amenities are	provided will be cleared by the State Govt. whenever a project is envisaged by the	Railways for which the land may be required at a future date.

(vii)	Provision of amenities such as street lighting, residential connection, water points,	gutters shall be permitted to be provided on the existing standard arrangement of	grant of way leave facilities for which arrangements have to be made by the State	Govt. and way leave charges paid by them.