Showing posts with label Aarey Colony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aarey Colony. Show all posts
Salman Khan’s body double back on Monster set, films train fight sequence
4:15 PM
Parvez Kazi with Salman Khan; (right) Parvez Kazi in action. Pics/Instagram, YouTube
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 23, 2026)
When Salman Khan reported for the latest schedule of his next, apparently titled Monster, this week, he had a trusted face in the unit. The superstar’s body double Parvez Kazi, who underwent a heart procedure in early August and was on the road to recovery, has resumed work on Vamshi Paidipally’s directorial venture. Kazi’s return comes at a crucial point — the unit is currently filming a fight sequence set in a train, which is one of the most important action blocks in the movie.
A source from the set revealed to mid-day that Paidipally has envisioned it as a high-octane sequence that sees Khan’s character take on a group of baddies.
The source said, “It’s a fairly complicated train sequence, with a lot of movement and coordination. Parvez knows exactly how Salman would approach every beat, which is why his presence is so valuable. The scene is currently being shot at a set in Aarey Colony, Goregaon.”
Kazi’s absence throughout August and early September meant that Khan had to step in and perform several set-pieces for Monster, which is billed as an action extravaganza. Now, with Kazi back on duty, the team is hoping to wrap up the portion soon.
The source added, “Parvez’s return has come as a huge relief for the team. He knows Salman’s movements and body language so well that having him around makes the process much quicker. Monster has some of Salman’s most difficult stunts; the actor and Parvez together are a dream team who know exactly how to pull it off.”
About 50 days of work is said to be left on the film, which stars Nayanthara as the leading lady.
Parvez Kazi has been Salman Khan’s body double for many years, having worked with him on ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ (2015), ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ (2017),‘Race 3’ (2018), ‘Bharat’ (2019), and ‘Dabangg 3’ (2019).
Welcome To The Jungle makers build massive forest sets in Mumbai for high-octane climax
9:34 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; December 13, 2025)
Mumbai is hardly the place one associates with jungles. But trust director Ahmed Khan to turn parts of the city into dense forests for Welcome To The Jungle. mid-day has learnt that on December 5, the director began shooting the climax that will play out across five venues — Film City, Royal Palms, Borivali, and two locations in Aarey Colony. The production team, led by Shailesh Mahadik, has built sets depicting wilderness.
The original plan was to film the climax of the ensemble comedy — starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Raveena Tandon, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, Lara Dutta, Paresh Rawal, Tusshar Kapoor, and others — in the forests of Uttar Pradesh.
A source revealed, “But the biting cold was a deterrent. Plus, the production team realised it’d be logistically impractical to shoot in the forests with a 34-member cast and 500-strong unit. Given the kind of stunts involved, Ahmed and producer Firoz A Nadiadwala decided to relocate the shoot to Mumbai.”
After this leg is complete, the director will travel to North India to capture wide shots in the jungles. Khan told mid-day, “It’s wonderful that we’re shooting the climax now. Getting so many actors together was the only challenge, but once on sets, it’s a party.”
Sonakshi Sinha joins Shraddha Kapoor in Save Aarey campaign
8:15 AM
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; September 11, 2019)
Over the past fortnight, Mumbaikars have come together to protest against the BMC's proposed felling of 2,700 trees in Aarey Colony to build a Metro shed. Several Bollywood celebrities too have criticised the move, with Shraddha Kapoor joining the protest in Goregaon on September 1. Sonakshi Sinha is the latest celebrity to have thrown her weight behind the campaign.
Talking to mid-day on the sidelines of Myntra Fashion Superstar, the actor said, "Shraddha recently messaged me saying that whenever she goes to Aarey again, she would love it if I joined her. I will definitely be part of the campaign. I wasn't aware [of the protest], else I would have been present that day itself. We are also spreading the message among our colleagues, hoping that more people will join in. It will help if they talk about it on social media or take to the streets because they enjoy a wide reach."
Sinha is appalled that the civic authorities are considering destroying the only green cover that the city has left. "It's shameful that when there is a need to plant more trees, we are talking about cutting them down. We talk about the Cauvery river issue or even the Amazon Fire, and here we aren't even concerned about what is happening in our own city. I am grateful for all those who are supporting this cause."
Image: Shraddha Kapoor joins protest against move to axe 2,000 trees in Aarey Colony
8:33 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (September 2, 2019)
Citizens’ groups from across the city held protests against the move to axe more than 2,000 trees in Aarey Colony to build the Metro 3 car shed. Carrying posters and banners that said, ‘Save Aarey’, ‘Aarey bachao’, ‘Yes to Metro, no to Metro car shed’, ‘Mumbai ki jaan’, ‘You can ignore us, but you will regret it’, ‘We don’t need development at the cost of environment’, Mumbaikars of all ages stepped out in the pouring rain to voice their concern.
Actress Shraddha Kapoor also showed her support for the environmental damage that the axing of trees would result in. Dressed in a white tee, which had ‘Save Aarey’ written on it, she urged authorities to rethink their decision of cutting tees in Aarey Colony.
No one is listening to the voice of the tribals-Randeep Hooda
8:08 AM
Randeep Hooda, with wildlife photographer Sarosh Lodhi
On Global Tiger Day, actor and tiger conservationist Randeep Hooda speaks of the need to involve locals in conservation while re-thinking infra projects that affect ecosystem
Ranjeet Jadhav (MID-DAY; July 29, 2019)
As the world celebrates Global Tiger Day today, July 29, actor and conservationist Randeep Hooda applauded the efforts of forest officials and workers in wildlife conservation, pointing to the rise in tiger population in the state. The latest tiger population figures will be announced by the state government soon. Hooda, who has been taking up several issues related to environment and wildlife conservation, said that these efforts will see true success only if local communities staying surrounding tiger reserves and national parks are involved.
Hooda, in conversation with mid-day, also spoke of Tigress T1 while also extending his full support to the Save Aarey campaign. Aarey needs to be protected from unplanned projects and encroachment, he said, adding that the car depot needed to be shifted to some other location. He spoke to mid-day about what is going right and what isn't in our effort at conservation.
Excerpts from the conversation:
What are the major challenges to conservation as of today?
I think our forest department officers and the staff on the ground including the vanmazoors are doing a commendable job to protect tigers and other wild animals. It reflects in the increased number of tigers. However, the reduction in forest cover is something that worries me. Human and tiger populations are both growing but the habitat is shrinking. Most tiger deaths are a result of infighting and not poaching. Also, death due to electrocution needs to be addressed. Effective enforcement of laws is a must for this. We also need to link wildlife corridors connecting one forest with another for species to travel. Lastly, the most important thing - involve local communities in conservation because it can't be done from five-star hotels. It will only be truly successful if the local communities staying around tiger reserves and national parks have goodwill for the wildlife. For this, we must provide them jobs and employment opportunities in the wildlife tourism sector. Farmers staying along the periphery of tiger reserves should get compensation for crop depredation/cattle kill/man-animal conflict. This addresses their ire.
The threats our tiger reserves and national park face...
Linear infrastructure projects passing through ecologically rich forest patches pose a huge threat to wildlife. Authorities need to undertake detailed studies to ascertain if the project really needs to pass through the forest.
Is involving private hunters to capture/shoot a problem animal a solution?
I don't think it is needed. We have dedicated veterinarians and sharpshooters from the police department. Despite this, controversial shooter Nawab Shafat Ali Khan was involved in the T1 (Avni) operation. She was allegedly shot down by his son who did not seem to have the licence for the weapon used. What happened to that case? We have really good laws but somewhere the implementation fails. The court in an order had said that all animals have the same rights as humans and so laws related to wildlife offences including poaching and electrocution should be made stringent. It should be considered as murder. People will then think a hundred times before committing such heinous crimes.
Your take on Aarey Milk colony?
Is there no other area where the car depot can be shifted? Aarey Milk Colony is an ecologically rich area and acts as a buffer zone to Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Protecting the green cover from unplanned development and mushrooming encroachment is the need of the hour. Inhabitants of Aarey, including the tribals, are not being heard. There is no doubt that the Metro will prove beneficial to the city but it cannot come up at the cost of an ecologically rich area. From planners to the government, everyone must think of this. I fully support the Aarey fight. The car depot needs to be shifted to some other location even if it means higher costs.
And the coastal road project?
I have not studied it in detail but the project should be implemented without causing much harm to the coastline and marine species.
The state forest department has been carrying out massive tree plantation drives every year. Do you think it works?
The tree plantation drive is a really good initiative but I think the authorities need to grow taller saplings before they are given out for plantation. The survival rate of small saplings is low. Forest department nurseries need to be strengthened. But again, we cannot replicate the ecosystem of a forest through plantation drives.
------------------------
95
Percentage of world's wild tigers lost since the beginning of 20th century
3,900
No. of wild tigers left in the world
John Abraham supports water harvesting
7:43 AM
Deepali Singh (DNA; July 18, 2019)
Monsoon may have arrived in Maharashtra and the lake levels have risen to an extent, but water cuts continue to stare at Mumbaikars. John Abraham, who has often raised his voice and used his stature to create awareness about social issues, is quite vocal about the need for water harvesting in the current scenario.
“If you harvest it the right way, the city and the country will have enough water,” the Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran actor said at a filmi event recently. The depleting ground-water levels are a cause for concern, John added. “The rivers are going to dry up in the next 20-30 years. It’s a serious problem. On top of that, when Maharashtra government decides to use 33 hectares of land in the Aarey Milk Colony for a Metro car shed, I wonder if we are really going in the right direction,” he said.
The actor said that he is opposed to the construction of the Coastal Road as well. “When you do all these things, you displace animals and human beings. It’s a cause for concern. I don’t know where we are headed,” he emphasised.
Shocking: Leopard scare brings shootings to a standstill at Film City
7:22 AM
Ismat Tehseen (BOMBAY TIMES; August 4, 2017)
Apprehension and fear is
writ large on the faces of local residents and people working at Film
City, Goregaon - including officials, actors and the general public - as
they tread on dangerous grounds in the area. A recent spate of leopard
attacks, including the death of a child, has caused panic and brought
outdoor shooting in some locations at a complete standstill. The
Maharashtra Forest Department has ordered that shooting at these outdoor
locations must
be halted for eight days (until August 6) until the leopard, which they
believe is responsible behind the attack of five children, is
trapped. “Kal bhi barah se do baje tak, leopards gate number one ke paas
dikhe,“ reveals security guard Chavan at the premises. The red alert is
clearly on here and while the decision has affected shooting schedules,
officials
say this can not be helped.
5 ATTACKS IN THE LAST 5 MONTHS
Last Friday, local resident Aniket Dileep Page (12) was attacked by a leopard near the Aarey pump house at Film City in the evening; it was the fifth incident of a leopard attack in the the past five months. The forest department set up two cages at a radius of 5 km from the site of attacks - near Film City and the Aarey helipad - with the aim to trap the leopard. Reports state that another cage trap will be installed soon. Says Kolekar, “The forest department is on high alert. In fact, the animal was almost caught when he came close to a cage, but sounds from a vehicle nearby drove it away. We are doing our best to assist efforts to trap it. We also conduct regular patrol besides handing out posters to public.“
EYEWITNESS SPEAKS... 'I SAW A LEOPARD CROSSING IN FRONT OF ME': JAYA BHATTACHARYA
The gruesome attacks prompted TV actress Jaya Bhattacharya put out a warning on Facebook. She recalls earlier incidents: “One day, during a shoot of the film Hindustan Ki Kasam, the production people dropped me to the Film City gate after pack-up. I then saw a leopard crossing the road in front of me. I was in the car, but I won't forget the sight of it. The production person was scared to return by auto. In another incident, a leopard picked up a puppy from our sets in front of so many people. We also once saw a leopard relaxing on the ground that is today the set of a TV show. Last year, a child was picked up by a leopard from behind the Aarey side, Gate no 7. We have also heard of an incident, where a guy was talking on the phone on a film set and the animal came from the bushes and took him away. So, leopards have always been there in Film City. In fact, that is their territory and it is we who have encroached there. I would like to tell everyone to please be careful when moving around. Walk in groups, carry torches so that you can see what is nearby. Small kids are easy targets and can fall prey to these wild animals. Remember, this is the jungle, so do not take offbeat, secluded paths here,“ she cautions.
Dilip Joshi aka Jethalal, who is at present shooting for Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashma in Film City, is worried. “We do have an outdoor set, but currently we are shooting indoors,“ he says, adding, “I have heard many stories of a leopard being spotted on other sets. It is scary as it gets very dark towards sundown. I am being extra careful as there are not enough street lights here near the parking area.“
KEY LOCATIONS THAT ARE MORE DENSE HAVE BEEN CORDONED OFF
The film studio complex of Film City is located on the south side of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), which reportedly has a leopard population of 20; the big cats are known to stray into Aarey Milk Colony as well, in search of prey. This has left the officials with no choice but to earmark and close a few sites that are more dense and have a greater chance of leopards straying into them. Mangesh K Raul, assistant manager, studios, at Film City, informs, “Around 10-11 locations are now shut - this includes Bapu Nagar, the temple road, the route towards the helipad, the hill view area, lake downwards, the garden near the lake as well as the reserve garden, Khandala Ghat, the temple maidan and a few more.“ Giving details on the effect on shootings, he reveals, “These locations were used to shoot Bollywood and Marathi films and TV series. The location closure will be till August 6, but if the animal is not trapped by then, it may have to be extended. The call will be taken by forest officials.“
Adds Chandrakant Kolekar, engineer and Film City officer, “We are just adhering to the directions by the forest department. Considering the recent attacks (the last one was on Saturday), it was high-risk situation to keep locations that were remote and in the jungle, open. There is a loss, but we cannot calculate and ascertain how much. As of now, the shooting is closed until Sunday. After a meeting, it will be decided what is to be done next.“
ACTIVISTS SPEAK...'THE ANSWER DOES NOT LIE IN TRAPPING AND RELOCATING THE LEOPARDS AS THEY HAVE A HOMING INSTINCT AND RETURN'
Activists believe that the solution to trap and relocate the animals elsewhere does not work for leopards. Explains Jalpesh Mehta, city-based environmental activist, “There are 35 leopards in SGNP and around nine in Aarey Forest. They move across Aarey and SGNP through Film City and Filterpada encompassing Aarey, IIT Powai to seek easy prey like dogs, pigs, hens and more. The tribals living there since ages know how to coexist with big cats, but it is different for others. We have in the past, along with the forest department, tried to trap these animals and release them far off. But the big cats including lions, leopards and tigers can travel back kilometers to their original destination and on their way they can cause a lot of conflict. So, trapping and relocating is not the solution.“
Affirms ecologist Anand Pendharkar, “You can trap a leopard here and leave it far away, but it will return as the animal has a strong homing instinct. The other danger is that when one territory gets emptied, another leopard comes into its place. These are transient leopards, who are waiting in the fringes to come into the territory.
Film-maker Ashwin Nagpal pegs it down to an increasing loss of green space. “They are converting the Film City area, which is a green zone and almost a part of SGNP into an industrial zone. This means shrinking habitat for leopards and the possibility of more leopard attacks on the fringes of the park,“ he warns.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
It's not a direct one. Says Jalpesh, “The only solution is to co-exist with the wild and in the long run work on removing encroachment. It is humans who have entered the homes of the leopards and not vice-versa.“ Anand adds, “What movie and TV crews and others at Film City can do is to make sure they do not litter the place, especially with food as this attracts dogs, which in turn attract leopards who prey on them. Also, try and cordon off the area and have stronger lighting and fences.“
Last Friday, local resident Aniket Dileep Page (12) was attacked by a leopard near the Aarey pump house at Film City in the evening; it was the fifth incident of a leopard attack in the the past five months. The forest department set up two cages at a radius of 5 km from the site of attacks - near Film City and the Aarey helipad - with the aim to trap the leopard. Reports state that another cage trap will be installed soon. Says Kolekar, “The forest department is on high alert. In fact, the animal was almost caught when he came close to a cage, but sounds from a vehicle nearby drove it away. We are doing our best to assist efforts to trap it. We also conduct regular patrol besides handing out posters to public.“
EYEWITNESS SPEAKS... 'I SAW A LEOPARD CROSSING IN FRONT OF ME': JAYA BHATTACHARYA
The gruesome attacks prompted TV actress Jaya Bhattacharya put out a warning on Facebook. She recalls earlier incidents: “One day, during a shoot of the film Hindustan Ki Kasam, the production people dropped me to the Film City gate after pack-up. I then saw a leopard crossing the road in front of me. I was in the car, but I won't forget the sight of it. The production person was scared to return by auto. In another incident, a leopard picked up a puppy from our sets in front of so many people. We also once saw a leopard relaxing on the ground that is today the set of a TV show. Last year, a child was picked up by a leopard from behind the Aarey side, Gate no 7. We have also heard of an incident, where a guy was talking on the phone on a film set and the animal came from the bushes and took him away. So, leopards have always been there in Film City. In fact, that is their territory and it is we who have encroached there. I would like to tell everyone to please be careful when moving around. Walk in groups, carry torches so that you can see what is nearby. Small kids are easy targets and can fall prey to these wild animals. Remember, this is the jungle, so do not take offbeat, secluded paths here,“ she cautions.
Dilip Joshi aka Jethalal, who is at present shooting for Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashma in Film City, is worried. “We do have an outdoor set, but currently we are shooting indoors,“ he says, adding, “I have heard many stories of a leopard being spotted on other sets. It is scary as it gets very dark towards sundown. I am being extra careful as there are not enough street lights here near the parking area.“
KEY LOCATIONS THAT ARE MORE DENSE HAVE BEEN CORDONED OFF
The film studio complex of Film City is located on the south side of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), which reportedly has a leopard population of 20; the big cats are known to stray into Aarey Milk Colony as well, in search of prey. This has left the officials with no choice but to earmark and close a few sites that are more dense and have a greater chance of leopards straying into them. Mangesh K Raul, assistant manager, studios, at Film City, informs, “Around 10-11 locations are now shut - this includes Bapu Nagar, the temple road, the route towards the helipad, the hill view area, lake downwards, the garden near the lake as well as the reserve garden, Khandala Ghat, the temple maidan and a few more.“ Giving details on the effect on shootings, he reveals, “These locations were used to shoot Bollywood and Marathi films and TV series. The location closure will be till August 6, but if the animal is not trapped by then, it may have to be extended. The call will be taken by forest officials.“
Adds Chandrakant Kolekar, engineer and Film City officer, “We are just adhering to the directions by the forest department. Considering the recent attacks (the last one was on Saturday), it was high-risk situation to keep locations that were remote and in the jungle, open. There is a loss, but we cannot calculate and ascertain how much. As of now, the shooting is closed until Sunday. After a meeting, it will be decided what is to be done next.“
ACTIVISTS SPEAK...'THE ANSWER DOES NOT LIE IN TRAPPING AND RELOCATING THE LEOPARDS AS THEY HAVE A HOMING INSTINCT AND RETURN'
Activists believe that the solution to trap and relocate the animals elsewhere does not work for leopards. Explains Jalpesh Mehta, city-based environmental activist, “There are 35 leopards in SGNP and around nine in Aarey Forest. They move across Aarey and SGNP through Film City and Filterpada encompassing Aarey, IIT Powai to seek easy prey like dogs, pigs, hens and more. The tribals living there since ages know how to coexist with big cats, but it is different for others. We have in the past, along with the forest department, tried to trap these animals and release them far off. But the big cats including lions, leopards and tigers can travel back kilometers to their original destination and on their way they can cause a lot of conflict. So, trapping and relocating is not the solution.“
Affirms ecologist Anand Pendharkar, “You can trap a leopard here and leave it far away, but it will return as the animal has a strong homing instinct. The other danger is that when one territory gets emptied, another leopard comes into its place. These are transient leopards, who are waiting in the fringes to come into the territory.
Film-maker Ashwin Nagpal pegs it down to an increasing loss of green space. “They are converting the Film City area, which is a green zone and almost a part of SGNP into an industrial zone. This means shrinking habitat for leopards and the possibility of more leopard attacks on the fringes of the park,“ he warns.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
It's not a direct one. Says Jalpesh, “The only solution is to co-exist with the wild and in the long run work on removing encroachment. It is humans who have entered the homes of the leopards and not vice-versa.“ Anand adds, “What movie and TV crews and others at Film City can do is to make sure they do not litter the place, especially with food as this attracts dogs, which in turn attract leopards who prey on them. Also, try and cordon off the area and have stronger lighting and fences.“
Salman Khan surveys loos in Aarey Colony
8:06 AM
Superstar visits slum, says will bear cost of repairing toilets in the Western suburb
MID-DAY (December 23, 2016)
Following an announcement of becoming brand ambassador for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) anti open defecation drive last week, Salman Khan has decided to bear the cost of repair of toilets in Aarey Colony’s unit number 7. The actor, accompanied by assistant municipal commissioner Kiran Dighavkar, who is in charge of BMC’s Swachh Bharat campaign, visited the Madras Pada slum in the colony to take a stock of the condition of the toilets.
A senior civic official said, “The people living in this area defecate in the open due to poor toilet conditions and lack of sufficient seats. The residents told Salman that the authority of Aarey Colony has prevented the BMC from conducting repair work, claiming that the location is under their jurisdiction."
The official informed that Salman assured residents that his foundation, Being Human, will bear the cost for the repair of existing toilets and also provide mobile toilets, if required. “He asked us to get the no objection certificate (NoC) from the Aarey authorities to prevent any hurdles,” said the official.
The actor has also previously promised to provide five mobile toilets to the civic authority to be set up in Bandra.
Bollywood superstars slam 'shocking' Development Plan for Mumbai
8:44 AM
Ambarish Mishra (THE TIMES OF INDIA; March 29, 2015)
Prominent film personalities
on Saturday criticized Mumbai's draft development plan and urged the
government to come clean on issues like additional FSI, congestion,
depletion of natural resources and preservation of open spaces in the
city.
Attending a seminar hosted by MNS chief Raj Thackeray as a citizens' initiative, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, script writer Salim Khan and lyricist Javed Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar, ad-man Bharat Dabholkar and filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala, among others, sought protection of Aarey Colony, and exhorted citizens to protest against the “shocking“ DP. Architect-activist P K Das' well-researched dissection of the draft development plan (DP) set the tone at the seminar, Aapli Mumbai, at a Bandra auditorium.
Flaying the plan for a Metro III car shed in Aarey Colony, actor Aamir Khan said the wildlife in the belt needs to be protected at any cost. “Some of the features in the DP are disturbing and shocking... It appears that the wildlife in Aarey will be destroyed because of the wanton cutting of trees to make way for the Metro car project,“ he said. He asked the government to recognize the widespread ire over the DP and make a presentation. “We invite the government to tell us what is in store for Mumbai in the DP .... Common citizens can't wade through the development plan couched in technical language. Mumbaikars need sound and sage advice on the plan,“ he said. “There should be a comprehensive debate on the DP .“
In a hard-hitting speech, Javed Akhtar said Mumbai had fallen prey to the machinations of the builder-politician nexus. “There are some 5,000 politicians who have formed an exclusive club. Power often changes hands, but everything else remains the same... We should not let Mumbai die because of our indifference and apathy,“ he said, describing the DP as 'fanda' (noose) around the city's neck. “The sooner we get rid of this noose, the better it will be for us,“ he added amid applause.
Das accused the government of “monetizing“ FSI at the cost of Mumbai's basic needs such as housing, healthcare, good roads, water and education. The DP will also trigger exclusive growth, he predicted. The DP, if accepted as it is, will result in marginalizing 85% of the city's populace from development and quality life, he warned. Offering more FSI near railway stations will result in massive congestion in areas already choked, Das added.
Salim Khan exhorted Mumbaikars to wake up and work out a game plan to save the city from further ruin. “Citizens should realise their collective strength and strive to keep their neighbourhoods clean,“ said the renowned script writer.
Bharat Dabholkar spoke about the need to kickstart stage-II of the anti-DP stir. Riteish Deshmukh suggested the DP should be discussed threadbare in the bastis and mohallas.
Attending a seminar hosted by MNS chief Raj Thackeray as a citizens' initiative, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, script writer Salim Khan and lyricist Javed Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar, ad-man Bharat Dabholkar and filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala, among others, sought protection of Aarey Colony, and exhorted citizens to protest against the “shocking“ DP. Architect-activist P K Das' well-researched dissection of the draft development plan (DP) set the tone at the seminar, Aapli Mumbai, at a Bandra auditorium.
Flaying the plan for a Metro III car shed in Aarey Colony, actor Aamir Khan said the wildlife in the belt needs to be protected at any cost. “Some of the features in the DP are disturbing and shocking... It appears that the wildlife in Aarey will be destroyed because of the wanton cutting of trees to make way for the Metro car project,“ he said. He asked the government to recognize the widespread ire over the DP and make a presentation. “We invite the government to tell us what is in store for Mumbai in the DP .... Common citizens can't wade through the development plan couched in technical language. Mumbaikars need sound and sage advice on the plan,“ he said. “There should be a comprehensive debate on the DP .“
In a hard-hitting speech, Javed Akhtar said Mumbai had fallen prey to the machinations of the builder-politician nexus. “There are some 5,000 politicians who have formed an exclusive club. Power often changes hands, but everything else remains the same... We should not let Mumbai die because of our indifference and apathy,“ he said, describing the DP as 'fanda' (noose) around the city's neck. “The sooner we get rid of this noose, the better it will be for us,“ he added amid applause.
Das accused the government of “monetizing“ FSI at the cost of Mumbai's basic needs such as housing, healthcare, good roads, water and education. The DP will also trigger exclusive growth, he predicted. The DP, if accepted as it is, will result in marginalizing 85% of the city's populace from development and quality life, he warned. Offering more FSI near railway stations will result in massive congestion in areas already choked, Das added.
Salim Khan exhorted Mumbaikars to wake up and work out a game plan to save the city from further ruin. “Citizens should realise their collective strength and strive to keep their neighbourhoods clean,“ said the renowned script writer.
Bharat Dabholkar spoke about the need to kickstart stage-II of the anti-DP stir. Riteish Deshmukh suggested the DP should be discussed threadbare in the bastis and mohallas.
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