{
  "id": 18951620,
  "title": "Nerul Residents Hold Candlelight Protest Against NMMC's ₹80-Crore Underground Parking Project At Shahu Maharaj Garden",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/nerul-residents-hold-candlelight-protest-against-nmmcs-80-crore",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T13:34:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/nerul-residents-hold-candlelight-protest-against-nmmcs-80-crore-underground-parking-project-at-shahu-maharaj-garden"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nWhile 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.",
  "summary": "Navi Mumbai: In a symbolic protest against the proposed underground parking facility at Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Garden in Sector 8, Nerul, residents lit candles at the garden on Saturday evening, reiterating their demand that the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) scrap the Rs 80-crore project and preserve the existing green space. Candlelight Campaign Highlights Need To Preserve…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}