Bandra residents anxious as 200-year-old 'Miracle Cross' may be razed under slum rehab scheme

MUMBAI: Residents of Nargis Dutt Nagar near Bandra Reclamation are a worried lot. They fear that a 'Miracle Cross' which is venerated in the locality and recently celebrated its 200th anniversary will be demolished under the proposed redevelopment of the slum.

The cross and grotto are located in a space measuring 3,000 sq ft.Bandra's Koli residents say they are emotionally attached to the holy cross and the attached shrine since generations. People of all faiths arrive to worship and seek healing for various ailments.The Miracle Cross Association has filed a case in the Bombay High court terming this as a "land grab intended to benefit the private developers who are undertaking the redevelopment of Nargis Dutt Nagar".

The first hearing was conducted June 26. The next is scheduled July 9.

Residents say that the govt of Maharashtra authorities namely Mhada, SRA and BMC have included the 200-year-old Miracle Cross and Prarthanalaya (church) in the slum rehabilitation scheme of Nargis Dutt Nagar.Rahebar Khan Raja, former municipal councillor of the locality said, "The Miracle Cross and Prarthanalaya Association are the petitioners and they have given me the power of attorney to fight the court cases.

On June 25, the Bombay High Court bench of Justice GS Kulkarni and Justice Arif Doctor granted a stay on the SRA's eviction and demolition order on the cross and Prarthanalaya structures. The judges questioned the authorities how a sacred prayer centre, which is neither a residential nor commercial entity, can be included in an SRA scheme.

They asked about the ownership of these lands and asked the authorities to file their reply by way of affidavits.

The next hearing is on July 9. The judges directed that there should be no eviction or demolition till further orders."Khan says these prime sea-facing areas are reclaimed lands from the sea. "Of this 117 acres was given by the govt of Maharashtra in 1964 to the Maharashtra Housing Board (Mhada) to build houses for economical weaker section (EWS) and low income group (LIG) citizens. Now under the garb of SRA, developers are trying to gain maximum benefits. This is a 200-year-old cross, grotto and shrine situated opposite Rangsharda Hotel.

None of it is part of any slum."