Navi Mumbai: Ulwe village writes to collector over airport blasting work

The blasting going on at the site

Villagers from Ulwe in Navi Mumbai have approached the Raigad collector requesting that the authorities and CIDCO provide them with an ambulance, a doctor and nurse on call. This is because the continuous blasting work going on in the area for the Navi Mumbai international airport is causing health problems for the villagers.

Two different communities, the Koli Samaj and Dhangar Samaj Rahivashi Sang, had this week written to the Raigad Collector seeking help.

The complaint by Namdev Koli from the Koli Samaj and Laxman Kokare from the Dhangar Samaj have stated that on January 6, they were woken up by the blasting and several villagers were injured in it.

"It is not one blast a day, but several blasts continuously throughout the day. There are five contractors and each conducts at least three blasts. The sound and dust is resulting in serious health issues for us," Koli said, demanding that the authorities take out health insurance for all villagers.

Kokare said, "CIDCO must carry out a health survey across the villages where this blasting work is going on. This will show just how severe our health issues are."

Mohan Ninave, public relations officer, CIDCO, said, "The management will have to take a meeting before coming to an appropriate decision."

Rajaram Patil, a villager and a project affected person, said, "If the authorities don't sort out our problem we will be forced to organise a protest."