Key Points
Around 200 citizens, most of them from Matharpacady, a small precinct in Mazgaon seemingly caught in a time warp, held a short candlelight march on Friday, to resist change in their neighbourhood..
It was a collective opposition to the gaothans redevelopment, which will change their way of life for ever..
In fact, on October 3, 395 residents 235 of them residing in the village, the other 160 in a transit camp - received an offer for redevelopment of their houses..
Buildings dont hold a candle to the houses we have here, said Renie Baptista, 64, president of the Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association, looking at the quaint houses in the neighbourhood with fenced porches, archways over doors, curved balconies and sloping roofs..
The exchange offer given to residents in the redevelopment plan is a handsome one, especially for those residing in smaller houses, starting at 80 sq ft..
