Sewri High-Rise Residents Announce Silent March to Protest Civic Apathy
Residents of several prominent high-rise residential complexes in Sewri, Mumbai, have declared their intention to hold a silent march this weekend. This organized protest aims to highlight what they describe as years of civic neglect and unchecked illegal activities plaguing their neighborhood.
Core Issues Driving the Agitation
The protest centers on a cluster of persistent problems that residents claim have severely degraded their quality of life. The primary grievances include rampant unauthorized hawking, footpaths encroached upon by vendors and stalls, pervasive illegal parking that clogs streets, and chronic noise pollution. Residents assert that these issues have collectively transformed daily life into an increasingly unsafe and unlivable experience.
This planned demonstration follows what residents call repeated and fruitless complaints lodged with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), local police authorities, and elected representatives. They allege that any enforcement actions taken have been sporadic, superficial, and largely cosmetic, failing to address the root causes. The situation has reportedly deteriorated to such an extent that confrontations between residents and hawkers have begun to occur.
Residents Voice Their Decade-Long Struggle
Residents of Dosti Flamingo, a large housing society comprising multiple towers and approximately 2,500 residents, stated they have borne the brunt of these civic failures. Rajendra Ghag, secretary of the society, detailed a struggle spanning nearly a decade.
"For the past 10 years, we have continuously pursued complaints with various authorities," Ghag explained. "There are no proper footpaths, roads are routinely taken over by hawkers, and unauthorized parking leaves no space for pedestrians to walk safely. Compounding this is the issue of loudspeakers blaring throughout the year from the BMC ground during kabaddi matches, cricket tournaments, and other community events. It has become impossible to live peacefully."
Ghag estimated that the problems affect at least 15,000 people living across 8 to 10 major high-rise buildings in the vicinity, including Ashoka Gardens, Celestia Spaces, Lodha Aria, Rishabh Garden, Krypton Tower, and Girnar Tower.
Allegations of Political Patronage and Systemic Failure
The residents have also flagged specific trouble spots, such as the unauthorized Ram Tekdi fish market and dense hawker clusters near Sewri market and along TJ Road. They allege these operations function with the tacit support or patronage of local political figures.
"There is a common perception that residents of high-rise buildings do not face significant civic problems. This protest is meant to shatter that myth," Ghag added, emphasizing the widespread nature of the issue.
Minitha Saxena, another resident, criticized the temporary nature of past interventions. "Hawkers are removed for a few days only to return shortly after. We are tired of this posturing. The authorities must either relocate these vendors to a suitable, designated space or enforce the law consistently and permanently," she stated.
Impact on Daily Life and Safety
Saarthi Mukherjee, a local resident, highlighted the direct impact on safety and mobility. "It has become impossible to walk on these roads. Vehicles are forced to brush perilously close to pedestrians. Children cannot cross streets safely," he said.
Mukherjee further emphasized the residents' status as law-abiding citizens. "We are peace-loving, tax-paying citizens. Hundreds of voters in this area are being deprived of their basic civic rights," he added.
The Path to Protest and a Potential Resolution
Despite submitting memorandums and meeting with political candidates across party lines, residents report that enforcement remains inconsistent and ineffective. The silent march is scheduled for February 14 and will be conducted in strict adherence to police guidelines.
In a notable gesture, Ghag stated that if the authorities take firm and permanent action to resolve these issues before the march, the residents are prepared to publicly felicitate officials from the BMC, police, and Regional Transport Office (RTO) as a mark of appreciation.
"This protest is not politically motivated. It is purely about restoring basic civic order. We have reached our limit; enough is enough," Ghag concluded, summarizing the collective sentiment driving the upcoming demonstration.
