Besides the transit camp area, work is also set to begin on a cemetery site at Lal Miti Maidan along the 90 Feet Road.
Team Clarion
MUMBAI – Work has commenced to clear debris from the reserved cemetery land in the metropolitan city’s eastern suburb of Govandi, bringing much-needed relief to local residents following months of legal battles. The first phase of development will level land for around 100 graves to begin burials in Rafi Nagar cemetery.
Heavy machinery, including JCBs, is being used to clear the transit camp land, which is reserved for the cemetery. This follows efforts by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to install a protective stone shed around the site. Once cleared and levelled, the land will enable burials to begin, helping to address the urgent need for grave space in Govandi.
Residents have voiced growing concerns over the impending closure of the Rafi Nagar cemetery due to limited space. Shamsher Shaikh, the petitioning lawyer who spearheaded the legal campaign, expressed optimism about recent progress. “After thorough legal examination by senior advocates, including Advocate Machhala and Altaf Khan, the high court has approved the debris removal on the transit camp land,” he explained.
Besides the transit camp area, work is also set to begin on a cemetery site at Lal Miti Maidan along the 90 Feet Road. However, this development faces opposition from a builder working on a nearby Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project, who has raised concerns about possible issues arising from the cemetery construction. The Bombay High Court is scheduled to hear this case on Wednesday (November 13), with residents hoping for a favourable outcome.
Abdul Rehman Shah, also known as Manabhai, one of the key social figures advocating for the cemetery, expressed his appreciation for the BMC’s involvement. “A tender worth over 8 crore rupees has been awarded to Ins Infrastructure to clear the debris and prepare the cemetery land,” he said. “The efforts by senior lawyers and social activists to resolve this longstanding issue are commendable. The people of Govandi, along with imams and social workers from local mosques and madrasas like Abrar Chaudhary, have shown true dedication.”
To expedite the burial preparations, a community meeting involving local imams, mosque and madrasa representatives, and residents of Govandi will be convened soon. “Our goal is to prepare the cemetery for 100 graves as soon as possible,” Shah added. “We’re inviting all of Govandi to join in, contribute, and advise on managing the cemetery so that the process can move forward smoothly.”
As work progresses, the community remains hopeful that the cemetery will soon be ready to meet Govandi’s needs, easing the strain on the existing burial grounds.