Kalina residents fume.over cemetery, crematorium construction stage protest
Kalina residents fume.over cemetery, crematorium construction stage protest
Kalina in Santacruz has been a very quiet place. But off late it is making it to the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The recent case to crop up is of the Kalina Cemetry Crematorium construction on a 7.5-acre plot and the residents are up in their arms against it. They strongly oppose to it.
On Thursday, 30 March, the Kalina residents took to the road to stage a silent protest against the construction of the Muslim cemetery and Hindu crematorium, near St. Mary’s High School and Junion College, Kalina, at Santacruz (East),
The land is on the east of Kaka Baptista Garden, near Our Lady of Egypt Church, which comes under the suburb’s H-East ward.
With the construction of the cemetry and the cremation work being carried out on a war footing, however, the residents feel that despite the spot reserved for a playground-cum-garden and a kabrastan-cum-crematorium in the 1967 development plan (DP), the vicinity has been witnessing statistical changes since then, calling for need-based facilities. They feel the reservation for a graveyard and crematorium has become dispensible.
Whereas, George Abraham, the former Congress Corporator from Kalina, points out that cemeteries and crematoriums are normally isolated from residential areas. Fifty per cent of the plot is reserved for a cemetery for the Muslim community and a crematorium. There is a playground and a garden on a part of the plot. Ironically, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has merged a part of it with the plot intended for the cemetery by brazenly flouting the rules.
According to Abraham five SRA buildings have come up here over a period of time, with a population of one lakh adjoining the plot. It is also 20 metres from the gate of St Mary’s junior college. This precisely, is the very reason why the local community are enraged over the construction activity.
Adjectitiously, 400 years ago, there was a pond on this piece of land which gradually dried up over a period of time.
Meanwhile, since over a year, the Kalina residents have been protesting over the development for a year, keeping in mind the three schools,
St Mary’s High School,
Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School and Shastri Nagar Municipal schools, which impart education in four language mediums, and a college nearby.
Reportedly, a large number of students congregate here and there is no space for them to move about with school buses stationed alongside. If bodies start coming, it will create an unhealthy environment.
MP Lodha, Guardian Minister, Mumbai Suburban District, a couple of months ago, couple of months ago, had stayed the construction of the cemetery, but work has resumed again.
Loy Dias, vice chairman, Voice of Kalina ALM, attributed that the reserved plot measures 2.5 acres, adjoining the five-acre Kaka Baptista Garden.
Hence going in for a burial ground and crematorium is unhealthy. This plot is surrounded by slums, high-rises and a church. The population of 5000, 50 years ago, has increased to 50,000 today.
The church-run-college gate opens directly to one side of the plot. It will be a horrific sight for people to witness the dead being brought in.
Also, inhaling fumes from the crematorium will pose health hazards.
Loy Dias, further adds that
many nefarious industries are booming around Kurla depot already and known to cause air pollution.
Soma Pawar, a Kalina resident and president of Akhil Bhartiya Kaikadi Mahasang, who spearheaded the protest on Friday, underscored that residents are urging cancellation of the cemetery and crematorium from the DP.
The Kalina talao was significant for East Indian Christians who conducted various wedding rituals around the pond.
Many decades back, the pond was wiped off the ecological map.
Ironically, Swapnaja Kshirsagar, assistant municipal commissioner, H-East ward remained unavailable for comment.
News input KV Raman
