KRVIA Blog
Not-in-my-Frontyard
Ambika Lambah
Third Year B.ArchThe essay delves into a conundrum that could have far-reaching ramifications for Mumbai’s urban development and its inhabitants. This controversial matter goes by the name of the ‘Versova Bandra Sea Link’ (VBSL) project, more specifically the Carter Road connector, which is facing considerable Not-in-My-Backyard or NIMBY resistance.
From regular promenade goers and Sandras from Bandra to activists and people of the Koli community, the number of stakeholders and affected lives is turning this mega infrastructure project into a game of chess that seems to make most spectators look in dismay. Dissecting these miscalculated moves brings forth conversations, opinions, and arguments the author has come across and presented in this article.
The purpose of collating this data is to bring to the fore a glimpse of the vast spectrum of local opposition along with each party’s concerns, highlighting the need for intensive stakeholder engagement and a participatory approach to public infrastructure projects without any specific hierarchy of citizen participation in mind.
