January 9, 2026: Residents of Versova and Andheri West—long regarded as some of Mumbai’s most desirable neighbourhoods—are increasingly voicing concern over the toll that large infrastructure projects, traffic congestion and vanishing open spaces are taking on everyday life. Once known for their coastal charm and leafy surroundings, these areas are now marked by constant construction noise, dust-filled streets and growing fears over the loss of mangroves and public green spaces.
Despite their upmarket image and concentration of high-rises, celebrity homes and premium real estate, Versova and Andheri West face persistent civic challenges. Traffic bottlenecks, illegal hawking, inadequate footpaths and poor pedestrian safety have become routine complaints. With civic polls approaching, residents have raised these issues at political rallies, pressing candidates and corporators for accountability.
A major point of contention is the proposed Versova Connector, part of the Versova–Bandra Sea Link (VBSL), which is expected to integrate with the extended coastal road towards Kandivali and Bhayandar. Locals fear that the connector’s alignment near Nana Nani Park—one of the area’s last accessible public parks—could result in pillars encroaching on precious green space used by walkers and senior citizens.
Addressing these concerns at a recent rally, BJP candidate Yogiraj Dabhadkar from Ward 59 said, “With this connector, Versova will become a central transport hub. Residents who currently struggle to reach South Mumbai will benefit.” He added, “People here are asking for removal of illegal hawkers and protection of open spaces.”
Beyond infrastructure, residents say the social fabric is also under pressure. The Versova–Yari Road belt, home to a sizeable Koli fishing community, has seen traditional livelihoods pushed aside by redevelopment. “We want proper segregation and planned spaces for markets and hawkers,” said Swati Loomba of the Yari Road Bachao Group. “Today, restaurants and food stalls have extended onto footpaths, leaving barely any space for pedestrians.”
Mobility remains another flashpoint. While Metro Lines 1 and 2A serve the area, poor last-mile connectivity, narrow roads and barricades from ongoing Metro Line 6 work have worsened congestion. Adding to the strain are malls, offices, production houses and dense residential clusters competing for limited road space. Residents are also demanding a dedicated fire brigade station for Versova, Lokhandwala and surrounding areas, citing safety risks amid rapid redevelopment.
Redevelopment itself is viewed as a double-edged sword, replacing older structures with high-density projects. Summing up local sentiment, BJP candidate Sayali Kulkarni from Ward 60 said, “The biggest grievance people have is the daily traffic nightmare when they step out of their housing societies. Residents here are not against development, they simply want a better quality of life.”
