Navi Mumbai: In wake of the unaddressed civic problems in Nerul and Juinagar, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Thursday staged a massive Whistle March at the ward office in Nerul.
The symbolic protest, led by the party’s city unit, aimed to wake up a sleeping administration that residents claim has failed to deliver even basic amenities.
Blowing whistles and chanting slogans, protestors marched from Rajiv Gandhi Bridge in Sector-2 to the ward office via Kukshet village, drawing attention to a wide range of grievances including inadequate water supply, deteriorating roads, poor health services, and encroachments.
MNS stages Whistle March at Nerul ward office, highlighting unresolved civic issues in Nerul and Juinagar | File Photo
“The issues we face are not new they’ve been building for years,” said one protestor. “If the administration continues to ignore citizens’ voices, this agitation will only grow stronger.”
Residents allege that despite being under administrative rule for the last five years, the region is plagued with poor infrastructure and incomplete civic projects. Roads are filled with potholes due to substandard work, and the cement-concreting carried out in several parts is reportedly of inferior quality.
In many slum areas, especially near Ramesh Metal in Nerul East, water is either unavailable or contaminated leading to recurrent health concerns, particularly among children.
Protesters also pointed to mismanagement of public spaces. In Juinagar, the local sports complex is allegedly being used for non-sporting purposes. Meanwhile, a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj installed in Sector-1 remains without formal inauguration. On the service road between Nerul East and Juinagar, car showrooms have reportedly encroached on public space, creating traffic and safety issues.
Lack of fogging and preventive measures has also triggered a spike in vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue in the area. Additionally, students in Sector-3 have no access to a public study hall, residents claimed.
Chants like Water is our right, not anyone’s private property and More gravel, less tar – potholes everywhere echoed through the streets during the march.
The protest saw heavy participation from local citizens, women, and youth. MNS leaders later met with the officials to present a detailed list of demands. However, the party alleged that most officials had no satisfactory answers and warned that the agitation would be intensified if timely solutions were not provided.
