The proposed 30,000-seat Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Powai has come under fresh scrutiny, with residents questioning whether an environmental clearance (EC) granted in 2022 for a rehabilitation project can be applied to a large commercial development. Concerns have also been raised over the absence of a publicly available Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), along with the project’s potential impact on traffic, civic infrastructure and the local environment.
The controversy follows claims by B.H. Sharma, named as the project proponent in the 2022 environmental clearance, that the required approval for the development already exists. However, the EC describes the proposal as a “Rehabilitation Scheme along with Sale Component”, rather than a Global Capability Centre. Residents have also questioned the rehabilitation component, arguing that there are no slum settlements in the immediate vicinity that would require nearly 4,000 rehabilitation homes.
The issue gained attention after activist B.N. Kumar, citing an RTI response, said The Free Press Journal had reported on July 23 that no environmental clearance or Environmental Impact Assessment records were available specifically for the GCC project.
“Sharma’s clarification, however, does not address the EIA issue or place the underlying EIA report in the public domain,” Kumar said, adding that the lack of publicly accessible documentation raises concerns over transparency.
While the EC identifies Bhawanishankar H. Sharma as the project proponent, it does not mention Brookfield Properties, JPMorgan Chase or a Global Capability Centre. Brookfield has, however, publicly announced a build-to-suit office campus for JPMorgan Chase on a six-acre site in Powai as part of India’s expanding GCC ecosystem.
Residents have also expressed concern over the scale of the proposed development.
“The EC itself underscores the scale of the infrastructure challenge. It envisages 11 rehabilitation buildings with 3,986 flats, a three-wing commercial building and eight parking towers, with a projected population of 37,550 and parking for nearly 3,600 vehicles. It estimates daily water demand at 3.053 million litres, sewage generation of 2.72 million litres and solid waste of 9.33 tonnes. Significantly, the EC itself stipulates that traffic congestion near project entry and exit points must be avoided,” Kumar said.
“Powai is already choking. A development of this magnitude will put unbearable pressure on roads, traffic and civic infrastructure,” said Pamela Cheema, Convenor of the Powai Area Locality Management (ALM). She also questioned the need for 3,986 rehabilitation flats, stating that there is no slum settlement around the project site.
Earlier, the Powai Area Locality Management (ALM), along with nearly 20 cooperative housing societies, submitted a petition to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, seeking a review of the project.
According to the petition, the proposed two-million-square-foot campus, expected to accommodate around 30,000 employees, could place significant pressure on the already congested Powai-Chandivali road network, particularly the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road. Residents have also voiced concerns over the potential impact on civic infrastructure, emergency services, the Powai Lake ecosystem and nearby biodiversity corridors, while warning that hill-cutting near the Parksite-Vikhroli slopes could affect natural drainage and environmentally sensitive areas.
Source: The Free Press Journal
