Mumbai: Dadar beach becomes dumping ground for construction materials; residents raise alarm

Construction material meant for concreting work on Pandurang Naik Marg in Dadar West lies scattered on the nearby beachfront on Monday. PICS/ASHISH RAJE

In a city thirsting for open spaces, a shoreline has been treated as a godown for over three months. Citizens residing near Dadar beach told mid-day that that a stretch of the waterfront is being occupied by construction materials being used to concrete the nearby Pandurang Naik Marg. Beach-goers and local families are forced to share the precious open space with iron rods, reinforcing bars, pipes, and hazardous gas welding cylinders. Residents have also expressed annoyance about the parking of heavy vehicles, including buses, at the spot, as well as occasional noise pollution.

The other side

Pranay Shetty, GHV India's site engineer, told mid-day, "These are large materials, and they have to be processed on site. We have the permission to operate on Pandurang Naik Marg till May 31, 2027, but we didn't want to unnecessarily block the stretch that is ready and cause inconvenience to residents. That's the reason why we were carrying out this work on the beach. But we have noted the concerns and are shifting from the beach to our designated road."

Concerns of residents

>> Construction material lying openly on the beach
>> Lack of rigid and effective barricading at entry points
>> Parking of vehicles on the beach
>> Lack of action by the traffic police
>> Speeding two-wheelers

Dadar residents have also opposed the parking of heavy vehicles, including buses, on the beach

Official Speak

Vinayak Vispute, Assistant commissioner, G North Ward
‘The improvement of Pandurang Naik Marg is in progress under work code C-320 [and overseen] by the chief engineer of the roads department. The contractor, M/s GHV India, has stacked the material. I have informed the roads department [about the need to take the] necessary action'

Residents' concerns

Vaibhav Rege, secretary, Shivaji Park ALM
‘Dadar beach is filled with stalls and horse carts. This particular stretch is always accessible to the public, providing citizens with a space to relax and walk. Restricting that accessibility by dumping construction materials is not acceptable'

Rahul Nadkarni
‘The beach is a public space and should not be used for such activities. It's a nuisance for residents. I think contractors are paid enough to ensure such processes are carried out in a godown. Earlier, the workers used to start sawing at 6 am. Now, this work begins a bit later. I had recently reported this encroachment to the BMC as well through its e-portal'

Jitendra Kewal Ramani
‘This is a grave concern. I have witnessed people getting hurt here at night due to the iron bars left lying on the beach. Kids play here, and gas cylinders for welding are just left here unsecured. Dadar beach, already such a short stretch, is being obstructed by these materials'

May 31, 2027
Day till when contractor has permission to operate on Pandurang Naik Marg