Mumbai's DP proposes road through Govandi society

The residents of the society – Neelkanth Gardens — have written to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) objecting to a 12-ft wide road that will go through their car parking lot and a garden.

In yet another error in BMC’s satellite-mapped development plan (DP) for Mumbai, a road is proposed to cut through a society in Govandi.

The residents of the society – Neelkanth Gardens — have written to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) objecting to a 12-ft wide road that will go through their car parking lot and a garden.

The road is proposed to start from near the building and run parallel to Govandi station.

“We were surprised to see the DP. This is a fully occupied society with four wings. We think the satellite mapping has considered the portion as a garden, as there is a terrace garden atop the building,” said Ramesh Lakshman, the treasurer of the society.

The society is one of the only few high-rises in the Govandi area with four 21-storey buildings.

This is yet another incident of the mapping carried out by the civic body without checking the ground reality. The development plan is the city’s blueprint for the next 20 years.

In their letter to the development plan department, society residents said, “The proposed DP road will grossly violate the fundamental rights of the society and its members for peaceful enjoyment of property. It is against all principles of justice and equality that a road be proposed right in the middle of an existing society, which is fully occupied.”

Another resident, CA Ramachandran said, “The road will not only affect the car parking, but trees will have to be chopped off as well. It will also raise fire safety issues. This proposal is unacceptable. and we have called for rerouting of the road.”

According to Lakshman, the proposed road will not make a major difference to the public. “If it isn’t for any public good on a large scale, the authorities can’t disrupt the existing premises,” he said.

The development plan officials were unavailable for comment. However, according to procedure, the objection letter submitted by the society will be considered and given a personal hearing.