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Residents
along Marine Drive cry foul Residents complained of the alleged callous attitude shown to them by officials of the Highways Ministry and the Road Development Authority. "We were not informed of the plans and to this date no meeting was requested from residents. However, a diplomatic mission situated on this road was granted meetings and even shown the blueprints," said one resident who wished to remain anonymous. Residents whose land had been acquired claim that they have not been compensated even though the project began around four years ago. A resident complained the she was informed to keep checking with the Road Development Authority for the payment since more than 2000 cheques were pending. She said the diplomatic mission however has already being compensated. A resident claimed that her house near the construction site had suffered cracks on its walls. She alleged that when she informed the RDA it had allegedly told her to evacuate and settle elsewhere. Most of the residents are concerned of the drainage, since Asoka Gardens is on a slope and the erection of a ramp at the western boundary would block the drainage gully. When Sunday Times inquired from a senior RDA official whether residents were given adequate information about the project, his response was, "When the preliminary work is begun, they would know that something is happening". He further said the site office would provide necessary information. The government is bound by the Land Acquisition Act with regard to programmes of this nature. The Act states that residents would be issued due notice, and would be informed, as well as given written notice when the land is being acquired. A period for inquiries would then commence and residents who are dissatisfied could take their complaints to the Land Acquisition and Resettlement Committees at District Secretariats. |
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