The BMC has been questioned on its ``favours for one businessman'' and pointedly asked how it gave its approval to the mall ``inspite of knowing that there is no foreign-style infrastructure to support such a huge mall.'' The owners of Crossroads have been ``requested to enlighten the residents'' on steps taken by Piramal Enterprises for reducing pollution andthe frequent traffic jams allegedly caused by the mall.

The THARWAS, which has residents of 17 housing societies as its members, has listed all the troubles that local residents have been subjected to due to the mall. ``School buses have of late refused to ply on the street in the afternoon and evenings due to traffic,'' the association's press statement said, adding the traffic causes noise and air pollution. The residents have alleged that a resident almost lost his life because the ambulance carrying him could not pass through the jammed street owing to the cancellation of the U-turn in the street after the opening of the mall.

Unlike other shops in the vicinity, the THARWAS has said through its lawyers M/S M P Vashi and Associates, the mall is open even on Sundays, so even the weekend brings no relief for residents. According to the association, 15 Ashoka trees were felled to make space for the shopping centre, and six full-grown Gulmohar and Peepal trees would have to be felled for the proposed carpark. The association has charged that ``the shopping centre has fully encroached on the pavement and is using it for their own purpose (sic).'' The statement mentions that Crossroads has ``somehow hidden the Pay and Park sign that was available to residents of the area, stripped bare the bus stop on the pavement and removed a taxi stand that was there for the residents.''

The letter to the mall's owners asks them to ``enlighten (the residents) on the subject to enable them to consider whether they should take up the matter to higher authorities or to move the court of law.'' It also states that failing a reply from the owners within eight days, residents would ``decide if they should resort to legal remedies.'' However, the notice adds that the association ``would like to avoid going to the court of law for abating the said nuisance.''

Nila Borwankar, member of the association said the THARWAS has not yet had an audience with Ajay Piramal, owner of the mall.

Vijay Mahajan, vice-president, corporateaffairs, Piramal Enterprises Ltd, confirmed they had received the association's letter and said they had responded to it. ``The area has always had traffic congestion and it would be wrong to attribute all of its problems to the opening of Crossroads,'' he said. ``We are a responsible corporate house and have all the requisite licences from the concerned authorities to run the mall,'' he said. He admitted the mall did attract a lot of visitors ``initially'' but said it was more ``out of curiosity'' than for actual shopping. ``The number of visitors will go down as novelty value decreases. Besides, we used to be open between 6 pm and 10 pm earlier; now we're open from 10 am to 10 pm. The number of people has evened out now,'' he said.

Mahajan said the whistles of Crossroads' security staff had been taken off following complaints from residents. ``Moreover, we are ready to hold discussions with residents or their associations any time to solve any problems there might be,'' he noted.