The government’s decision to shift the proposed unity mall at Chimbel to another location, after a sustained protest by local residents, is a welcome step. Projects like this should not be pushed through without consulting the people living in the area, including those affected in the neighbourhood around Toyyar lake.
For a long time, people remained silent as rapid urbanisation changed our villages.
However, after former judge Ferdino Rebello gave the call “Enough is enough”, people have finally woken up. Many more such agitations are likely to follow in other places. The question now is whether the government will take this seriously or continue to be guided by its Delhi lobby.
