Sheva Koliwada women's group to launch indefinite JNPA channel blockade from August 15 over long-standing rehabilitation issues

The Hindu

5 days ago

Citing decades of unresolved grievances, the Sheva Koliwada Displaced Women's Organisation has announced an indefinite agitation to block the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) channel starting August 15, 2025. The protest is aimed at drawing attention to alleged administrative negligence and broken rehabilitation promises made to villagers displaced by the JNPT port project in Uran.
The organisation has accused the Raigad district collector, Kishan Javale, of failing to conduct a promised meeting to resolve critical issues relating to rehabilitation, fraud, the status of Hanuman Koliwada Gram Panchayat, and civic amenities at the transition camp.
The residents allege that although 17 hectares of land were earmarked for resettlement via a 1987 government notification, 15 hectares were later handed over to the Forest Department in 2022, without formally cancelling the original allocation. Kalyani P. Koli leading the protest said, 'This, they claim, has left 256 families—both farmers and non-farmers—without legal documents confirming their property rights even after 43 years of displacement.'
'The district collector has never visited the transition camp, despite repeated appeals,' said the organisation in its statement, adding that multiple letters and reminders since June 2025 have gone unanswered.
The group has also raised questions about the legitimacy of the Hanuman Koliwada Gram Panchayat, labelling it 'bogus' and citing a 1995 notification that they say was never officially annulled. They allege that police force was used to conduct elections and manipulate voter rolls in areas already under the jurisdiction of Uran Nagar Parishad, leading to illegal dual representation.
On November 20, 2024, The Hindu reported on how party workers tried to force them to vote. In June 2025, the residents moved the Bombay High Court over their four-decade of wait for rehabilitation.
Further, the organisation has accused government officials and law enforcement authorities of conspiring to defame and dismantle a women's water committee, which had been independently collecting dues for water supply in the transition camp. 'A gram sabha held under police protection in May 2025 reportedly passed a resolution maligning the committee's work,' Ms. Koli said.
The displaced families have also raised concerns about political interference in sarpanch reservations, alleging that quotas meant for Scheduled Tribes women were arbitrarily changed, thereby disenfranchising the rightful claimants.
Ms. Koli said, 'The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, had promised in January this year that land issues would be resolved within three months, a deadline that has lapsed with no action taken. JNPA Chairman's written assurance that land distribution would be completed by May 31 also remains unfulfilled as of July.'
A report submitted to the Centre in May by the Tehsildar of Uran reportedly acknowledged that the 0.91 hectares of land allocated to the displaced is inadequate and adversely impacts their socio-economic and health conditions. 'Despite this, no follow-up action has been taken,' she added.
Adding to the frustration is the alleged lack of basic amenities in the transition camp. The group claimed that since August 2024, after the District Collector and JNPA took over camp management, there has been no improvement in water supply, sanitation, or transparency in property valuation. A survey conducted by the Public Works Department in December to assess compensation value for homes and structures has not been disclosed to the affected families.
'The administration has turned a blind eye to our plight. The indefinite channel closure from August 15 is a last resort to demand justice,' the women's organisation stated, warning that essential port operations may be affected if their concerns continue to be ignored.