Residents protest coastal road project in Belapur, Navi Mumbai

On a Sunday morning, residents and activists in Belapur formed a human chain to protest against a coastal road project proposed by the City Industrial and Development Corporation (CIDCO). This project aims to connect Kharghar and Nerul but is set to pass through a green belt along the Panvel creek, which has raised significant environmental concerns. Activists argue that the construction would lead to the destruction of valuable green zones that residents have worked hard to develop. B N Kumar, director of NatConnect Foundation, has expressed skepticism about the necessity of the coastal road, referring to it as a 'white elephant' given the existing infrastructure, including wide roads, service roads, and public transport options that already connect Kharghar and Belapur. He highlighted that the traffic to Nerul Jetty is minimal, questioning the rationale behind the project. The protestors, holding banners and placards, aimed to convey their message to CIDCO and the government, emphasizing the importance of preserving the green zones. Activist Shubhangi Tirodkar, a resident of Sector 15 for a decade, lamented the potential transformation of their peaceful area into a busy concrete road. Support from local leaders, including BJP's Netra Shirke, reinforced the protest's message, as she criticized the project for threatening biodiversity in an area that was intentionally developed as a green belt. The community is advocating for alternative solutions to improve connectivity without compromising their environment.