Nerul Residents Hold Candlelight Protest Against NMMC's ₹80-Crore Underground Parking Project At Shahu Maharaj Garden

Residents of Nerul gathered in a candlelight protest on Saturday evening to voice their opposition to the proposed ₹80-crore underground parking project at Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Garden. Organized by the Nerul Residents Association, the candlelight campaign aimed to raise awareness about preserving the neighbourhood's green spaces and the potential damage the underground parking could cause.

The campaign came after the association submitted a memorandum to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) and city engineer, requesting the cancellation of the project and a halt to all administrative, technical, and tendering processes. Over 1,200 residents have signed a petition opposing the underground parking facility.

The association gave the civic administration a 15-day deadline to make a decision, warning that residents would launch an indefinite hunger strike at the garden's entrance if their demands were not met. Residents expressed their concerns over the garden's ecological balance, fearing that construction could harm trees, green cover, and the natural soil structure.

While not entirely against infrastructure development, residents urged the NMMC to explore alternative locations for the parking project, emphasizing that the garden should be protected as a public space for recreation, exercise, and relaxation. The association sought details of the project's feasibility and approvals, as well as a written assurance that the garden's green cover and public use would be preserved.

The candlelight protest served as a reminder that development should not come at the expense of the city's remaining green spaces.