Navi Mumbai Activists Urge Phased Reopening of Kharghar Hills and Pandavkada
Citizen groups in Navi Mumbai have urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to reconsider seasonal access restrictions on Pandavkada waterfall, Kharghar Hills, and other natural destinations in the area, calling for a scientific safety assessment and a phased reopening of the sites.
The appeal was raised by the Sajag Nagrik Manch and the Kharghar Hill Welfare Association. Both organisations have sought a high-level reassessment of restricted outdoor spots to evaluate whether they can safely be made accessible to the public after the implementation of necessary structural and preventive measures.
The activist groups have demanded that Pandavkada, Kharghar Hills, Phanaswadi, and adjacent restricted zones be inspected by an expert committee. They proposed that this panel include geologists, structural experts, disaster management specialists, and town planners to identify specific hazards and suggest technical interventions.
Among the safety measures recommended by the groups are the construction of retaining walls, installation of rock netting, slope stabilisation, proper drainage systems, and protective fencing around vulnerable points.
The organisations also highlighted existing contradictions in the enforcement of entry bans. Access along the Phanaswadi route is officially restricted between June 15 and September 15 due to the risk of landslides. The groups questioned why runners and walkers continue to be permitted into the area if authorities deem the stretch hazardous.
According to the associations, Pandavkada, Kharghar Hills, and Phanaswadi serve as vital green spaces where residents can spend time in nature, exercise, and find relief from mental stress. They emphasised that urban development should not be confined solely to concrete infrastructure, roads, and flyovers, but must also encompass well-managed and safe natural public spaces.
A member of the Kharghar Hill Welfare Association stated that banning access to the Pandavkada waterfall, Kharghar Hills, and similar destinations due to the actions of a few overenthusiastic youngsters is irrational.
The citizen groups have requested the state government to conduct a comprehensive review of the blanket restrictions and establish a framework for reopening the sites gradually once safety upgrades are completed.
