Residents raise alarm over landslides threatening Parsik Hill in Navi Mumbai

Soil from the eastern slope, facing CIDCO headquarters is sliding down, The road below is covered with soil sliding down from the hill

The residential side of Parsik Hill in Navi Mumbai is once again facing landslides during the monsoon season, as reported by concerned residents and environmental groups. The NatConnect Foundation, in its complaints to the central and state governments, highlighted that soil from the eastern slope, facing City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) headquarters, is sliding down.

B N Kumar, Director of NatConnect, expressed his concern, saying, "The road below is being covered with soil sliding down from the hill. If this continues, it could pose a danger to the people and properties situated on top of the hill." Jayant Thakur, president of the Parsik Hill resident association, revealed that CIDCO has allocated approximately 200 plots on the hilltop, with around 100 already occupied by residents.

Kumar recalled a recent IIT report commissioned by a private builder, which warned about the loose soil in a specific area of the eastern slope and its susceptibility to landslides. It is worth noting that the landslides are occurring on the same side that was allegedly illegally excavated last year under the pretext of beautification. CIDCO has confirmed in multiple affidavits submitted to the state human rights commission that it has issued notices to the private builder for violating the leave and license agreement for the plantation. Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) also mentioned the excavation in its affidavit.

Furthermore, the retention wall constructed by CIDCO on the hill is starting to collapse, with visible gaps in some areas, according to Vishnu Joshi of Parsik Greens. Urgent reinforcement is needed for the wall. Joshi also pointed out that encroachers have damaged the wall in certain locations, requiring immediate repair.

The NGO highlighted that a landslide exactly a year ago damaged NMMC's water supply monitoring centre located below the hill, and concerns about the hill's safety were raised at that time. NatConnect emphasised that the lush green cover on the hill slope has been destroyed by vested interests, which could be contributing to the problem.

Sudhir Dani, a resident of Agroli near Parsik Hill, warned that if the insensitive approach to the environment continues, Navi Mumbai could face natural disasters similar to those in Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir. "We are deeply concerned about the landslide-prone hills of Navi Mumbai," he stated.