Navi Mumbai: Residents of Sector 15, CBD Belapur are set to form a human chain on Sunday, September 22, at 7:15 AM along the walking track road in a protest against CIDCO’s proposed coastal road connecting Kharghar to Nerul. The protest, organized with the support of Netra Shirke, former Chairperson of the Civic Body Standing Committee and former Corporator, aims to raise awareness about the potential impacts of the road on their community.

The proposed coastal road has raised concerns among residents who fear it will disrupt the peace and tranquillity of the residential area. Many housing societies are located along the road, leading to worries about increased traffic hazards, particularly for children and seniors. Local residents have expressed concerns that the road will threaten the greenery in the area, which they believe is essential for maintaining a healthy environment.

To preserve the local green space, residents have collectively planted 30,000 trees through crowd funding efforts, transforming the area into a crucial ecological zone. However, they fear that this green lung will be compromised, echoing the unfortunate fate of mangroves removed for the upcoming airport.

Shubhangi Tirodkar, a resident, stated, “We have been discussing this issue with NMMC and CIDCO for the past month. After reviewing the proposal, we realized the road is set to pass right next to our walking track, which we maintain ourselves.”

In response to the growing concerns, Netra Shirke has filed a complaint with NMMC Commissioner Dr. Kailash Shinde, urging him to advocate for the proposed road to utilize the main road from Diwale Gaon Circle to the Amra Marg-Uran road junction, thereby avoiding Sector 15, CBD Belapur entirely. The protest aims to unite residents in their call for preserving their neighborhood's safety and green space.