Residents of Kamgar Nagar Cooperative Housing Society (CHS) in Kurla East are embroiled in a conflict with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) L Ward over the forced elevation of Nandikeshvar Mandir Road. The residents assert that this abrupt construction initiative could precipitate severe flooding and drainage issues, raising alarms about potential man-made disasters in their locality.
The discord arose when BMC officials, backed by Nehru Nagar Police Station, commenced the construction of an elevated cement concrete road in this low-lying area. The residents contend that the project began without prior notification, disregarding ongoing communications highlighting the risks associated with the road elevation. They also allege that the police detained them during their protest against the road construction, forcibly placing them in a police van.
An official from Kamgar Nagar CHS expressed grave concerns: “The BMC’s decision to elevate the road height without prior consultation or adequate notice is woefully irresponsible. We are deeply alarmed about the heightened risk of waterlogging and drainage problems that this will precipitate, particularly during heavy rainfall. Given this region’s propensity for flooding, we are now confronted with the very real possibility of our society becoming a makeshift lake during heavy rainfall, with water overflowing into our homes and daily lives.”
The society had filed a Right to Information (RTI) request in January 2024, seeking details about the project, including specifications, road and storm drain levels, and construction drawings. However, they have yet to receive a response. The residents are also troubled by factories in Thakkar Bappa Colony dumping garbage on their premises, exacerbating the area’s sanitation issues. They remain sceptical about the quality of the ongoing construction, citing the installation of a cracked PVC pipe as a glaring example of substandard work.
Another committee official highlighted the irony of the situation: “This is the same road where Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited before the general elections for a flagship ‘deep clean-up’ drive. Now, our homes are at risk of man-made floods due to the BMC’s inconsiderate actions. We fear facing a situation similar to the devastating floods of July 26, 2005.”
The residents claim that the construction has been executed with brute force and blatant disregard for their concerns. On-site BMC authorities and Nehru Nagar Police have allegedly dismissed all formal correspondence and detained committee officials who were exercising their constitutional right to protest.
In response to these developments, the committee has demanded a written assurance from the BMC that in the event of flooding caused by the elevated road, the society will be compensated for any damages. They argue that the new road height, which exceeds that of the residential houses, poses a significant flood risk.
A resident of Kamgar Nagar CHS reiterated the community’s apprehensions: “We are deeply concerned that the BMC’s hasty concretisation and elevation of this road will put the nearby houses at significant risk of severe flooding and drainage issues. Therefore, we respectfully request that the BMC provide our society with a written guarantee that in the event of flooding caused by this elevated road, they will compensate us for any damages incurred. This is because the new road height exceeds that of the residential houses, which increases the likelihood of flooding.”
The escalating situation at Kamgar Nagar underscores the urgent need for the BMC to address the residents’ concerns and adopt a more transparent and consultative approach to urban development projects.
