A dispute over barricaded footpaths in Powai’s Hiranandani Gardens has escalated, with local residents approaching the Canadian Consulate seeking intervention in their concerns over pedestrian access along Central Avenue.
The Powai Action Forum has written to Canadian Consul General Jeff David, urging the Consulate to take up the matter with Brookfield, the Canadian-origin company involved in the redevelopment of Citipark. In the letter dated August 12, Forum member Ratan Sharda said footpaths that residents had used for nearly 25 years had been barricaded or obstructed at several locations.
According to residents, the restrictions have reduced available walking space and, in some stretches, forced pedestrians to share the road with vehicles. They have also alleged that footpaths adjoining redevelopment sites, which had remained accessible for years, are now being treated as private areas.
The Forum clarified that it was not asking the Consulate to determine ownership or the legal status of the land. Instead, residents want the Consulate to communicate their concerns to Brookfield’s Canadian and Indian leadership and encourage the company to follow principles of responsible corporate citizenship.
Residents have sought access to approved development plans and clarification on the basis for treating the pedestrian areas as private property. They have also requested uninterrupted and safe walking space while the matter is being examined, along with reconsideration of barricades and planters that restrict pedestrian movement.
The Forum has further asked Brookfield to participate in a public meeting involving residents and civic authorities to discuss the issue.
Central Avenue is a busy commercial corridor used daily by local residents, schoolchildren, workers and visitors. Residents said the lack of continuous footpaths creates additional risks for senior citizens, children and persons with disabilities.
“Large international investors should strive to improve the communities in which they operate,” Sharda wrote, stressing that pedestrian safety and the quality of everyday life should remain important considerations.
The Forum has asked the Consulate to acknowledge its representation and clarify whether the concerns can be forwarded to Brookfield’s senior management.
Brookfield Properties had earlier maintained that the construction work had received all requisite approvals and that the company was complying with applicable rules and regulatory requirements.
Source: The Times of India
