STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT

A project of the kind planned for the C Ward has to be one, which is inclusive and involves the multiple stakeholders. ROMF has over the period over the past 2-3years reached out to the various stakeholders through various mediums. Below are some of the instances of stakeholder involvement.

Presentations

ROMF during the last three years have made various presentations of scheme to various levels of bureaucrats, concerned Ministers / Secretaries including Chief Minister, Dy. Chief Minister at State level and Housing Minister at the State as well as Central level. We have also presented our proposal to the National Advisory Council at Delhi, Municipal Corporation, Financial Banks, Institutions, and various concerned Associations, print, outdoor and electronic media as well as various social & corporate levels. Most importantly the major stakeholders i.e. tenants and landlords have been taken into confidence and they have accepted and supported it unanimously.

Public meetings

Massive public support from tenants and landlords during a ROMF public meeting was held on 4th November, 2007. Remaking of Mumbai Federation organised the first of its kind public meetings at Mahapragya Hall at Kalbadevi and it had a massive turnout. The meeting was held to inform the residents of the ward about the project. The meeting had over 10,000 people attending the meeting and a resolution was passed authorizing ROMF to apply for the Pilot Project on behalf of the residents of C Ward. The views and agreements of the residents and elected representatives have influenced the current thinking of the cluster approach for development. Public meeting of shopkeepers, traders and business community held on 19th January 2008. Please find the images of the Mahapragya hall meeting:

           

Remaking of Mumbai Federation held another public meeting which was attended in very large numbers. The meeting highlighted to the residents the various aspects of the cluster development approach that ROMF is espousing. The meeting was also well represented with the senior elected representatives from all political parties. Through a well illustrated presentation and a multimedia presentation the meeting helped the residents understand the details of the project. Massive public meeting on 28th June 2008 for CRZ relaxation and other developments. To demand the relaxation of C and D wards from CRZ, inaugurate the Disaster Relief Cell and announce the engagement of ARUP, one of the world's largest urban planners a massive public meeting was held and addressed by national and local leaders. Community Engagement ROMF has been actively working with Citizens Forum for C Ward Development by organizing local meetings with citizens to engage them in the process of redeveloping the ward. It is very important to understand the thoughts and viewpoints of the residents of the area itself to be able to create something acceptable to the majority.

CRZ issue

CRZ Petition by 20,102 tenants of CRZ affected areas of 'C' & 'D' Ward was filed before the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF). ROMF along with Citizens Forum for C Ward Development (CFCD), Old Buildings Landlords Welfare Association (OLWA) and Federation of Associations of Maharashtra (FAM) carried out a massive awareness and signature drive among the residents of C & D ward who are living in the old and dilapidated buildings which fall in the strip, which is within 500 meters of the Marine Drive promenade and hence covered by CRZ II provisions. A petition was subsequently submitted to MOEF on 5th July in New Delhi. The redevelopment of old and dilapidated buildings in the areas of the island city falling within 500 meters of the High Tide Line is very difficult because the FSI is limited and there is a height restriction.

Disaster Relief Cell

Formation of DRC Disaster Relief Cell, till the time a solution is found to the problem of old and dilapidated buildings, the lives of those staying in these buildings remains under danger. Keeping this in mind ROMF has started a Disaster Relief Cell which can respond at the earliest to any situation arising out of collapsing of the buildings. The Cell has a helpline, an ambulance and other equipments. A training program by Civil Defense officials was also organized for local citizen volunteers with the intention of having local trained volunteers who can respond at the earliest.

CFCD, OLWA, FAM

Citizens Forum for C Ward Development (CFCD): Citizens Forum for C Ward Development is a large group of eminent citizens of C ward who have come together to work constructively for the redevelopment of its ward and is represented by a managing committee and a mohalla committee consisting of representatives of each of the 129 mohallas.

Old Buildings Landlords Welfare Association (OLWA): OLWA, Old Buildings Landlords’ Welfare Association, is an Association formed for the cause of the landlords of dilapidated buildings in Mumbai, who are suffering from various laws imposed under the Bombay Rent Control Act.

Federation of Associations of Maharashtra (FAM): FEDERATION OF ASSOCIATIONS OF MAHARASHTRA is an apex body representing more than 750 associations/chambers of Trade, Transport and Small Scale Industries from all over Maharashtra. This year FAM is celebrating its Silver Jubilee Year. During these 25 years Federation has been able to gain the confidence and respect of the Trading community, since it has been trying to solve problems and genuine grievances of business community when they are in difficulties.

Building Representative Forum:

A Building Representative Forum (BRF) consisting of 1350 members, representatives of 360 buildings has been formed and a general meeting of all BRF members held on 7th February 2009 and they have written to you for immediate action on the Pilot Project awarding.