MNS’ ‘Injection Morcha’ Protest at CIDCO Bhavan Over Housing Prices | File Photo
Navi Mumbai: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) staged a massive protest, named as “Injection Morcha,” at CIDCO Bhavan in Belapur, demanding a reduction in the high prices of 26,000 houses allotted under CIDCO’s housing lottery.
Led by MNS spokesperson and Navi Mumbai city president Gajanan Kale, the protest saw thousands of CIDCO lottery winners, including senior citizens, women, and families, urging the administration to reconsider the housing prices.
The protest was the result of CIDCO refusing to lower housing prices. Earlier a meeting was convened with CIDCO officials including Managing Director Vijay Singhal, Deputy Managing Director Shantanu Goyal, and Deputy Managing Director Ganesh Deshmukh.
MNS’ ‘Injection Morcha’ Protest at CIDCO Bhavan Over Housing Prices | File Photo
Angered by the lack of relief, MNS mobilized affected homebuyers and launched an aggressive agitation against both CIDCO and the state government. “Demonstrators carried symbolic syringes, stating that CIDCO needed an “injection” to wake up to the plight of common citizens,” said a protestor.
The march, which began from Bhoomiraj Towers in Sector 30, Belapur, proceeded towards CIDCO Bhavan but was stopped by the police at a nearby signal and diverted to Urban Haat.
To highlight their plight, protesters built a symbolic house at the protest site, while women demonstrators set up makeshift kitchens, emphasizing that they had nowhere else to go if affordable housing was not provided.
As CIDCO remained unresponsive even after hours of protest, Gajanan Kale escalated the agitation, calling for a “Jail Bharo” movement. In response, thousands of protesters volunteered to get arrested, causing panic among police and CIDCO officials.
After multiple rounds of negotiations, CIDCO finally relented, granting a 28-day extension for lottery winners to pay the confirmation amount for their homes. This decision was met with cheers and relief among the protesters, as it provided them additional time to press for a price reduction.
MNS leader Gajanan Kale announced that the party would take this issue to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister through Raj Thackeray. “The party plans to expose CIDCO’s alleged mismanagement by organizing a grand exhibition in Vashi next week, highlighting irregularities in the housing lottery. Invitations will be sent to all 288 MLAs, MPs, ministers, Navi Mumbai corporators, and CIDCO officials,” said Kale.
The protest saw the participation of several senior MNS leaders, including Women’s Wing City President Dr. Aarti Dhumal, City Secretary Vilas Ghone, Assistant City Secretary Abhijit Desai, Division Presidents Akshay Bhosale and Amol Ayawale, Employment Department City President Sanpreet Turmekar, and Film Wing Coordinator Aniket Patil, along with thousands of CIDCO lottery winners. MNS has vowed to intensify its agitation if CIDCO fails to make housing genuinely affordable for the common citizen.
