By Surjitt Sahani
A long stretch of Yamuna Nagar Road in Andheri West, popularly known as Movie Tower Road, has been lying incomplete since December 26, 2024, leaving thousands of residents frustrated. The road, which was dug up in October by the BMC for concretization, remains half-finished due to a stop-work order issued on an anonymous complaint. The situation has caused significant disruption to traffic, school bus access, and the daily lives of residents from 16 societies in the area.
At a meeting held today, attended by MLA Mr. Haroon Khan, ex-corporator Mr. Shailesh Phanse, BMC Assistant Engineer Anil Mistry, and members from neighboring societies, residents expressed their grievances and demanded immediate action. When questioned, the BMC engineer revealed that an oral stop-work order was issued by someone above the K/West Ward officer, and residents were advised to escalate the matter to the BMC commissioner. Shockingly, the complaint remains anonymous, and no written record has been provided to justify the halt in construction.
During the meeting, Mr. Thakkar, a resident of Duplex Heights, presented the original 2011 order establishing BMC’s maintenance of the road. This document was handed over to the concerned authorities, reinforcing the claim that the road has been under BMC’s jurisdiction for over 20 years.
The MLA assured residents that he would take up the matter with the BMC commissioner and requested 3-4 days to resolve the issue.
Local activists and residents have raised critical concerns. Activist and filmmaker Ashoke Pandit questioned the sudden ambiguity over the road’s ownership despite it being maintained by the BMC for decades. He stated, “If the road was inaugurated and maintained by the BMC since 2011, how can its ownership suddenly become questionable? Residents cannot be left to suffer due to bureaucratic apathy.”
Dust pollution from the incomplete road has become a significant health hazard, with motorists and pedestrians bearing the brunt. Dhaval Shah from the Andheri Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizen’s Association highlighted the double standards, stating, “While pollution control measures are being emphasized elsewhere, this half-dug road is left open, exposing residents to harmful dust and pollutants.”
Parents have reported that school buses now refuse to enter the area, forcing children to walk long distances amidst the construction chaos. “There are roughly 6,000-8,000 people living in the societies here. The unfinished road is a daily struggle for all of us,” shared a local resident.
The ongoing disruption has raised serious questions about governance, transparency, and accountability within the civic body. Residents are now anxiously waiting for the MLA’s intervention and hope that the road work resumes without further delay.
The people of Andheri West deserve better than being left in limbo over a road that serves as a lifeline for thousands. It is imperative for the authorities to act swiftly and prioritize the needs of the citizens over bureaucratic hurdles.
Surjitt Sahani
