December 10, 2025: Nearly 30,000 to 40,000 residents across 200 buildings in Juhu have threatened to boycott the upcoming municipal elections, protesting a decades-old defence notification that has blocked their redevelopment plans. Most of these buildings, constructed about 50 years ago, lie within 500 yards of the military wireless transmission station inside the Army Officers Institute campus on Juhu Tara Road.
Under the Defence Act notification issued on June 19, 1976, the Ministry of Defence mandated that the surrounding land be kept free of structures exceeding 15.24 metres (roughly three storeys). Although the restriction was ignored for years—allowing some buildings to redevelop with valid permissions—residents say enforcement resumed in 2011 after the Adarsh housing scam, when a fresh circular reimposed the ban on construction within 500 yards of defence establishments.
“Because of the enforcement, redevelopment of several buildings were halted. The original buildings were demolished by the builder and residents were staying on rent. Fourteen years have passed, but the Centre has not withdrawn the circular despite our repeated appeals to everyone from MLAs, MPs to the defence minister and the prime minister,” said B. B. Lakdawala, founder of the Juhu Wireless Affected Residents (JWAR) group.
“The politicians only approach us for votes. This time, residents of all the 200 buildings will boycott the elections,” he added.
Residents also questioned the inconsistency in enforcement. “The area should be heavily guarded if there is a transmission station. How are civilians allowed to attend weddings and parties inside the institutes,” asked Amit Jagani, a resident.
Aging structures and monsoon seepage have worsened living conditions. “We fear for our lives. Water seeps into the buildings and can collapse at any time,” said Ketan Desai. With an average resident age of 70, many say they lack the means and energy to fight prolonged legal battles.
Source: Hindustan Times
