Mumbai’s Wilson gymkhana takes down floodlights after resident’s light pollution complaints

From 2017, Nilesh Desai, a resident of Kalbadevi, had filed over 100 complaints with the district administration and police citing light pollution from the Wilson gymkhana’s floodlights.

After over two years of complaints from south Mumbai residents, Wilson Gymkhana on Marine Drive finally took down all four of its high-mast floodlights over the last four days.

The Wilson Gymkhana on Mumbai’s Marine Drive took down its four floodlights over four days after complaints of light pollution by residents of nearby areas. (HT Photo)

HT had reported in November last year that the city collector, Shivaji Jondhale, had asked the gymkhana to remove the floodlights, making it the first such action taken by the state against light pollution in Mumbai.

“The collector said the floodlights were illegal as we did not have the required permission. We used a crane to take down the lights over the past four days and then dismantled them” said Amin Pawar, senior manager, Wilson Gymkhana.

“As of now, we have complied with the directions. But we will approach this legally in order to reinstall the lights,” said Pawar.

From 2017, Nilesh Desai, a resident of Kalbadevi, had filed over 100 complaints with the district administration and police citing light pollution from the gymkhana’s floodlights.

Light pollution is the term used to describe excessive or obtrusive man-made light. In extreme cases, long-term exposure to excessive light could cause hallucinations, sleep disorders, and even lead to psychiatric problems. Desai said the removal of floodlights is a major victory for residents.

“Residents are no longer confined to curfew-like situations owing to the high-intensity blinding lights. Citizens visiting the promenade opposite Wilson Gymkhana can enjoy their evening by the sea without fearing eye injuries from the light glare,” Desai said.

On January 20, 2018, Awaaz Foundation had released a light pollution readings report, where 84,800 lux (unit for light) was recorded at Wilson Gymkhana and 14,100 lux at Police Gymkhana. According to doctors at KEM Hospital, the human eye should not be exposed directly to lux levels exceeding 50-60 lux.

An official from the district collector’s office said that apart from Desai, police and representatives from few political parties had also approached them with complaints. “After the November 2018 order, we had sent two reminders to the gymkhana. Our circle officers will visit the site to check overall compliance of the order,” he added

HT has been reporting about complaints of light pollution and follow-up action over the past two years. “It is a welcome move as these high-intensity lights could be a main cause for accidents along the stretch at Marine Drive,” said Dr Arjun Ahuja, head of ophthalmology department, KEM Hospital, Parel, adding, “We are witnessing increase in patients with vision disorders, eye irritation, redness, headaches, and all these are directly related to light pollution.”