Civic anti-encroachment drive conducted on November 13 following complaints of traffic obstruction and inconvenience to pedestrians.

The Stalls

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) removed five unauthorised commercial stalls along the highway near the flyover at L.P. Circle in Shivajinagar, Nerul, on November 13.

The action was taken following complaints that the stalls were obstructing vehicular movement and causing inconvenience to pedestrians.

The drive was conducted on the instructions of Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde and under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner Sukhdev Yedve of the Encroachment Department. Nerul Administrative Officer Chanda Gaikwad led the operation. The civic administration deployed eight labourers, two Hydra cranes, two dumpers and a trailer to carry out the removal work.

Officials and staff from the Nerul Encroachment Department, along with security personnel and local police, assisted in the operation to ensure that the drive was conducted smoothly. The action is part of the civic body’s efforts to remove unauthorised structures from public spaces and ensure smoother traffic movement and safer pedestrian access in the city.

Residents raise safety concerns as several lights remain non-functional for nearly two months, NMMC awaits approval for repair work.

The Lights

A major portion of Central Park in Sector 3, Ghansoli, opposite Ghansoli railway station, has been plunged into darkness due to non-functional streetlights, raising safety concerns among residents.

The 10-acre recreational space attracts several visitors, particularly during weekends. However, residents said several streetlights across the park have remained defunct for nearly two months, leaving large stretches poorly illuminated after sunset.

Social activist Abhijit Patil said nearly half of the park remains in darkness, creating opportunities for anti-social activities and making the premises unsafe for visitors. Sushma Pawar, a Sector 5 resident who regularly visits the park with her children, expressed concern about their safety. She said the lack of lighting could make it difficult to locate a missing child and has made her hesitant to visit the park.

Another resident, Moumita Das, alleged that poorly lit areas have become spots for smoking and other inappropriate activities. She added that women feel uncomfortable walking through the park during evening hours. Residents claimed that despite repeated complaints to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s (NMMC) Electrical Department, no repairs have been carried out.

NMMC Electrical Engineer Moraskar said a proposal for repairing and replacing the defunct lights had been forwarded to senior authorities and approval was awaited. He assured that the work would begin immediately after approval. Residents have urged the civic administration to expedite the process and restore lighting to ensure the safety of women, children and senior citizens.

After securing the top position in Swachh Survekshan 2025-26, NMMC plans to strengthen waste management, recycling and public participation to maintain its ranking.

The Target

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has set an ambitious target of retaining its position as India’s cleanest city for the next 10 years after securing the first rank in the Swachh Survekshan 2025-26 under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

The achievement reflects the city’s waste management system, modern infrastructure, recycling initiatives, contribution of sanitation workers and public participation. Mayor Sujata Patil received the national award from President Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.

NMMC has also retained its seven-star Garbage-Free City rating and Water Plus certification. The civic body reported that 100% of the city’s daily waste is scientifically processed through dedicated wet and dry waste treatment facilities. The city also processes around 260 million litres of sewage daily through seven sewage treatment plants. More than 30% of the treated wastewater is reused for industrial purposes, gardens and construction activities.

To improve waste collection and monitoring, NMMC uses GPS tracking for 246 garbage collection vehicles operating across 291 routes. Digital platforms, including the My NMMC app and WhatsApp chatbot, are also being used to address citizens’ complaints.

Following the achievement, Mayor Sujata Patil, Deputy Mayor Dashrath Bhagat and Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde reviewed the city’s cleanliness initiatives. The civic administration aims to maintain its top position through improved infrastructure, efficient waste management and continued public participation.