Navi Mumbai: The villagers of Owale and Kundevahal have expressed strong opposition to the ongoing blasting activities near the Navi Mumbai Airport construction site. On August 6, they halted the blasting work and demanded answers from the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO). The protest was led by 27 Village Project Affected Association President Nandraj Mungaji, Owale Sarpanch Rupesh Gaikwad, Deputy Sarpanch Nilesh Gaikwad, Kundevahal Sarpanch Sadashiv Vaskar, Vikrant Gharat, and several other villagers.

The blasting work was temporarily stopped, and a police force was deployed to the area.

 Navi Mumbai Airport, currently under construction near Owalegaon in Panvel taluka, requires blasting to break the hills in the area. Villagers have accused CIDCO of conducting blasting with excessive intensity, causing health issues due to the chemicals and odors released during the process. Additionally, some houses in the village have reportedly developed cracks due to the blasting.

The villagers learned that CIDCO had planned to carry out blasting by drilling 150 holes. Concerned about the potential damage from more intensive blasting, the villagers decided to stage a protest. They raised slogans against the blasting activities and demanded an immediate halt.

A CIDCO officer arrived at the site to address the villagers' concerns but was met with increased aggression. The villagers questioned who would be responsible for any loss of life if stones were thrown onto houses due to the blasting.