Mumbai: Nearly 1,200 residents of Powai and Chandivali including senior citizens, youngsters and children participated in a protest march on Sunday against the proposed 30,000-seater Global Capability Centre (GCC) at Powai.
“We will now approach the state government seeking a public hearing, where the concerns of more than 100,000 residents of Powai and Chandivali can be formally placed before the authorities. Sunday’s protest was preceded by a signature campaign against the proposed GCC which was endorsed by more than 5,000 people, Khanna said. Thousands of residential and commercial units had come up in Powai and Chandivali over the past 15-20 years, while crucial infrastructure projects, such as Development Plan (DP) roads, remained incomplete, they alleged.
At the rally, protestors blamed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for allowing rapid residential and commercial development in Powai without creating adequate supporting infrastructure. “We respect the concerns raised by residents and will continue to work with the community and all stakeholders to address them constructively.
“Our foremost concern is the additional traffic burden expected from the proposed developments, which could choke the area,” said Ranjan Khanna from the Powai Action Forum (PAF), which organised the march. “If the BMC cannot keep pace with new development, it must stop issuing approvals for new projects,” said Mandeep Singh Makkar, founder, Chandivali Citizens Welfare Association. A BGRE spokesperson said as a responsible corporate citizen, it was committed to Powai’s well-being through green spaces, sustainable mobility and community engagement. All development is undertaken with requisite statutory approvals and as per applicable statutory guidelines,” the spokesperson said.
