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The tranquil residential enclave of Hiranandani Gardens in Powai finds itself at the centre of a brewing conflict as its residents gear up to take on Canadian real estate company Brookfield Properties for proposing to build a mega mall in place of an office building in the area. Over the weekend, over 100 concerned residents gathered to discuss the potential "destruction and rebuilding’ of the Citipark building located in Central Avenue. The building currently holds office spaces and retail units, though most tenants have vacated the premises. The prime location of the building is what make the proposal attractive and yet worrisome. Central Avenue is a bustling street in the heart of the Hiranandani Gardens township. With wide roads, footpaths and public benches, this road witnesses a flurry of activity through the day. Either side of the street is lined with cafes, restaurants, luxury shopping, departmental stories and banks. Dmart, Forest Essentials, Nykaa, Poetry by Love and Cheesecake, Starbucks, Pizza Express and Chillis and some of the outlets present here. Kotak Mahindra Bank, HSBC Bank, and Axis Bank have ATMS and branches on the street as well. Open air community held events are something conducted here over the weekends. According to local residents, the Citipark building was awarded an FSI of 1 when first constructed. The current proposal entails the construction of an 18-storey tower in its place. This immense increase in space, residents believe with make the area congested and worsen the traffic situation during peak hours. Another concern is the dust and noise pollution that will be generated through the demolition and construction of the mall. With several residential projects already under construction in the area, the added project, residents believe will severely affect the quality of life in the region. Lastly, residents have raised objections over the recent uptick in development in the area. Long-time residents of the township claim that the area initially had a lot more green cover, which is fast being replaced with concrete structures. While the township always consisted of a mix of residential, commercial and retail spaces, the sudden boom in creation of new spaces is transforming what was once considered a predominantly residential neighbourhood. While Brookfield Properties, has not released an official statement or response address the issues, the company does claim to have done its bit to increase the green cover in Powai, since acquiring its assets in the region. The proposal put forth by the company for the re-building of the Citipark building includes a significantly larger commercial complex, comprising retail outlets, offices, eateries, an entertainment zone, and multiplexes. The residents are believed to be banding together to establish an official forum to document and put forth their concerns and recommendations to the authorities. The mall proposal has allegedly received clearance from the NGT (National Green Tribunal), but the BMC nod is pending. In conclusion, the residents of Hiranandani Gardens in Powai stand united in their resistance against the impending construction of a mammoth mall, set to replace the familiar Citipark commercial building. The gathering of over 100 concerned residents reflects a shared commitment to preserving the green cover, peace, and traffic flow in their cherished community.
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