Navi Mumbai: A huge group of citizens on Sunday staged an impromptu peaceful protest at the Kharghar hill entrance near RBI Colony Metro station at Belpada in CBD-Belapur accusing Cidco of ‘double standards’ for adopting an unfair and incoherent policy by restricting access for commoners, while allegedly allowing entry to marathoners preparing for the Panvel civic body’s run scheduled on August 23, apart from selective groups having political connections.The protesters raised serious questions on fairness and uniformity of enforcement.The protest was jointly organised by the Kharghar Hill Welfare Association and Sajag Nagrik Manch, Navi Mumbai, with participation of several morning walkers, joggers, senior citizens and nature enthusiasts. They voiced their demand for immediate withdrawal of the seasonal entry ban to the Kharghar hill and allow access to all citizens.Cidco has prohibited public entry to the Kharghar hill between June 15 and September 15, citing the risk of landslides during the monsoon season.The protesters displayed placards and banners with messages like ‘Every Citizen is Equal Before the Constitution’, ‘Why is there access for marathon runners but a ban on morning walkers?’ and ‘Stop CIDCO’s Double Standards’.Bharat Dhyani, a member of Sajag Nagrik Manch, said, “We are not against marathoners allowed entry to the hill for preparation for the marathon on August 23. However, denying entry to ordinary citizens for morning walk and jogging is a direct violation of the constitutional principle that all citizens are equal before the law. If Cidco fails to implement a fair and uniform policy before August 23, we shall intensify our agitation and oppose the marathon event organised by the Panvel civic body.”Suresh Nair, a local resident, alleged that despite the official ban, certain politically connected individuals and influential persons are being given entry to the Kharghar hill through verbal instructions by Cidco officials to security personnel.Some private vehicles are also allowed entry to reach atop the hill for leisure, a few claimed.During the protest, members of the Kharghar Hill Welfare Association and Sajag Nagrik Manch also alleged that repeated representations to the Panvel municipal commissioner seeking asphalting of the badly damaged road leading to Phanaswadi and Chafewadi trabal hamlets atop of the hill, had remained pending for several months. The stretch of road was refurbished only ahead of the scheduled marathon event, despite earlier requests from local residents.
