In a defiant act of civic activism, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) led a spirited Dhol Bajao Morcha in Navi Mumbai’s Seawoods-Belapur area on Friday, calling out the growing administrative apathy and a host of unaddressed civic problems plaguing the region.
The protest march began at Sakal Bhavan, near Belapur railway station, and culminated at the Belapur ‘A’ Ward Office. It was marked by the rhythmic thumping of traditional drums and the collective frustration of residents, who joined MNS leaders to demand immediate and accountable action from the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).
During the protest, a comprehensive memorandum of grievances was submitted to civic authorities. The list was extensive and pressing—ranging from erratic water supply, pothole-ridden roads, and broken footpaths, to inefficient garbage collection, choked drainage systems, non-functional streetlights, and the neglected divider near the NRI Complex.
Participants also flagged severe hygiene concerns under the Seawoods railway bridge, lack of CCTV surveillance in sensitive zones, and inadequate sanitation manpower. MNS demanded the reopening of the shut police beat post in Sector 30, construction of a public toilet near the fish market, installation of a composting unit, and improved cleanliness in commercial areas.
While senior officials from NMMC received the memorandum and assured residents of a written, time-bound response, skepticism lingered. The MNS warned that if these issues are not addressed swiftly, further agitation will follow.
Speaking to reporters, MNS Navi Mumbai President Gajanan Kale asserted, “Today was a wake-up call. If the authorities continue to ignore the people of Seawoods and Belapur, we will escalate our protest. The citizens deserve dignity, safety, and responsive governance.”
The march was not just a protest—it was a reflection of growing urban frustration and a community’s demand for dignity, accountability, and action in the face of civic neglect.
