Residents of Powai and Chandivli came together on Sunday to protest against what they termed as unplanned and excessive development activity that could put additional strain on the area’s roads, pedestrian pathways, green spaces and civic infrastructure.
The meeting highlighted several upcoming and ongoing projects, including the proposed Global Capability Centre, the MMRDA-SRA rehabilitation project for families affected by the Mithi River redevelopment, redevelopment of Citipark, Haiko and Rodas, along with plans for new residential and commercial structures.
Environmental activist Debi Goenka said the growing number of towers, office spaces, rehabilitation buildings and redevelopment projects would place a common burden on the same roads, drainage systems and public spaces.
“Every additional tower, office complex, rehabilitation building and redevelopment scheme empties into the same roads, the same air, the same drainage network and the same shrinking public realm,” he said. According to him, residents would face consequences in the form of traffic congestion, construction-related dust, noise pollution, loss of trees, blocked pavements, reduced green areas and overstretched civic services.
The discussion focused on a key concern among residents — how much further development the Powai area can accommodate.
Resident Kanaya Pursnani urged citizens to become more aware of the issue, stating that public amenities such as footpaths, recreational spaces and open areas were increasingly being viewed as opportunities for generating floor space index (FSI) and transferable development rights (TDR).
Ashwini Tulzapurkar said residents had repeatedly approached authorities through letters but had received no response. She suggested that residents may consider approaching the court through a public interest litigation (PIL). She also alleged that violations in parts of Hiranandani’s developments were being permitted to gain additional FSI or TDR benefits.
Powai ALM chairperson Pamela Cheema said the entire Powai-Chandivli corridor would experience the impact of increased pressure on transportation, pedestrian movement, air quality and civic infrastructure.
Long-time resident Rajan Khanna recalled difficulties faced by residents, including challenges in assisting elderly citizens due to blocked and inaccessible routes. He said residents were dealing with a network involving landowners, MMRDA, BMC and private developers, including Brookfield.
Residents also questioned the decision to locate major commercial projects like the Global Capability Centre in an already congested area when alternative land parcels were available.
Anoop Khanna raised concerns over blocked pavements near Citipark, claiming that the issue had continued for nearly seven months despite complaints. “Development cannot be at the cost of the peace of the area,” he said.
Residents demanded restoration of pavements and access routes, transparency on FSI and TDR approvals, a combined environmental and traffic impact assessment, public consultations before major approvals, and coordinated action from civic agencies and authorities.
Source: The Times of India
