Residents of Mumbai's Powai area have launched a strong protest against a proposed large-scale commercial project in their primarily residential neighbourhood. Concerned about increased traffic, noise, and a fundamental change in their township's character, they have written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding intervention.
Residents Challenge Civic Candidates and Government
The community, feeling ignored by the authorities, has also directly confronted candidates contesting the upcoming civic elections from their locality. Their primary grievance is the planned construction of a Global Capability Centre (GCC) designed for 30,000 people, a commercial hub, and a shopping mall. Residents argue that Powai was established as a residential township, and the original government lease deed designated the land specifically for housing purposes.
They allege that this promise has been unilaterally rewritten "without public consultation" and with "no understanding on how the neighbourhood actually functions." A letter, bearing the signatures of 200 concerned residents, was sent to the Chief Minister's office. After receiving no response, the community has now threatened to stage protests.
Traffic, Ecology, and Broken Promises
The residents' letter poses pointed questions to the administration. "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," it states. They highlight that existing commercial structures are already being redeveloped into much taller towers, which has intensified problems of construction dust, constant noise, and severe traffic congestion.
Activist and author Ratan Sarda questioned the project's location, 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?" This sentiment echoes the community's belief that the project is fundamentally misplaced.
A History of Unanswered Appeals
This is not the first time Powai residents have raised the alarm. They revealed that months ago, following a meeting concerning Powai lake, they had written to the Chief Secretary of the state. While the letter was delivered, they received no acknowledgement or response. The current silence from the CM's office has further fueled their frustration and resolve to oppose the development that they fear will overwhelm their area and steadily erode its everyday liveability.
