Located on the periphery of the city near the Navi Mumbai bridge, the site has had several incremental infrastructural upgrades over the course of the last 30 years, some constructed by the state and some financed privately by residents. The neighborhood is very dense and hilly, surrounded by open spaces which residents do not have access to. Several such green spaces are owned by the military and are used as maidans for members only, or have been previously used as a butchery and now sit empty. Access to transportation and commercial areas is sparse, but utilities such as electricity and telecommunications are readily available. Education is inexpensive for boys and free for girls. Water shortages in recent years have lead residents to band together to pay for the installation of additional water lines. Due to the density, fire has also been a threat.
Photos: Kate Cahill