Reported by The Times of India
Navi Mumbai: Nerul residents and nature lovers had an innovative Diwali protest in order to protect the trees at Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Udyan civic garden in sector 8 by peacefully lighting traditional lamps next to the trees. The NMMC has proposed a plan to construct underground parking at this site, which the locals are opposing as it will lead to a loss of trees at the 3.5-acre park.
Over 200 residents visited the civic garden on Saturday evening to light diyas and lamps, while awareness posters against the Rs 80 crore underground parking plan were also displayed during the protest.
A few days earlier, citizens had also started a signature drive in order to cancel the Rs 80 crore plan of the NMMC to build underground parking underneath the popular civic garden in Nerul sector 8.
Advocate Swapnil Gholap told TOI: “So far, we have collected over 850 signatures of citizens who said that they do not want any parking project under this lovely green garden, because it is going to destroy many trees here. The civic body can utilize this huge amount of Rs 80 crore for doing something more worthwhile for the city.
