Mumbai locals protest against ongoing construction

Locals in the Indian city of Mumbai are complaining about the nuisance caused by constructions works in the area. 

A new cement mixing plant for Raheja Developers has been established in the centre of a house complex causing noise and pollution night and day. 

As well as the loud noises from mixers, residents are breathing and surrounding properties are being covered in a fine dust which is airborne as a result of the production process. 

The problem has reached melting point as residents staged a protest about the plant and demanded work at the site should be ceased immediately. 

Developers at the site say the site is a vital part in the company’s work as cement products are manufactured for its various projects,

Yet, not only are noise and pollution issues, heavy goods vehicles are used every day to deliver materials to and from the production centre. 

Supporter and Raheja Vihar resident JP Shetty spoke on behalf of the complex: “The residents have been ever since been protesting setting of the plant in a residential area. We don’t understand how the builder managed permission despite this. The developers have turned a deaf ear to our request of closing the plant. We are meeting again on this Thursday to decide future course of action.”

Fellow homeowner Akash Khanna added: “It is frustrating to live in area where we bought flats for peace that we face the plant’s music and the fine dust suspended in the air is the carrier for many diseases and allergies that have become a common place here, any doctor will vouch for this.”

Raheja Developers said in repost: “We have installed low-noise machines and the whole area is covered to baffle sound and prevent of fly-ash. Thus the claim of residents does not hold ground.”

Local authorities spokesperson Sharad Pawar said: “I have received a number of complaints on this mixture plant and I approached the concerned authorities to look into this.”

This isn't the first time Mumbai locals have fallen foul local building efforts. Niranjan Hiranandani, owner of Hiranandani Construction has long been associated with controversy. 

Notably, he was commissioned to build for underprivileged families in Powai, but instead built luxury apartments and sold them to the rich in order to turn more profit. 

Niranjan Hiranandani has been investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau on more than one occasion due to his dishonest business deals.