January 10, 2026: Residents of Powai have raised strong objections to a proposed commercial development in their predominantly residential neighbourhood, warning that it could strain infrastructure and erode quality of life. The concerns have been formally conveyed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis through a letter signed by around 200 locals, and have also been raised with candidates contesting the upcoming civic elections from the area.
The proposed plan includes a Global Capability Centre (GCC), a commercial hub and a shopping mall. Locals argue that such large-scale commercial activity would bring excessive traffic, noise and construction-related disruption to a township that was originally planned for housing. With no response from authorities so far, residents have said they are prepared to protest the project.
In their letter, residents stressed that Powai was conceived as a residential township, not a commercial district. They pointed out that the original government lease deed earmarked the land exclusively for housing. According to them, this land-use commitment has now been altered “without public consultation” and with “no understanding on how the neighbourhood actually functions”.
Author and activist Ratan Sarda questioned the site selection, asking, “Why was this 30,000-seater GCC not located in Panvel, Navi Mumbai, or any number of emerging business corridors across the Konkan belt, in places designed to absorb exactly this kind of density?”
The letter to the chief minister also highlighted environmental and traffic concerns. It stated: “Did your officials visit Powai to check how this GCC building activity is destroying eco-sensitive Powai hills? Have they checked the traffic? Residents won’t be able to come out of houses.”
Residents further alleged that existing commercial structures in Powai are being redeveloped into much taller towers, intensifying construction activity and worsening dust, noise and congestion. They said they had earlier written to the chief secretary following a meeting related to Powai Lake, but despite confirmation of delivery, no acknowledgement or response was received.
As civic elections draw closer, locals say the issue has become central to their engagement with political candidates, reflecting broader anxieties about unplanned commercialisation in residential parts of Mumbai.
Source: The Times of India
