navi Mumbai, June 16 -- A draft proposal by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) to convert more than 100 hectares of residential and commercial land across four Uran villages into industrial use has triggered strong opposition from villagers and environmentalists, who fear it will worsen the fragile coastal ecology while limiting future housing and employment opportunities. The draft notification, issued on June 6, covers 122.1 hectares in Funde, Jaskhar, Jasai and Savarkhar villages. It seeks to rezone 105.85 hectares, 54.24 hectares at Funde-Jaskhar (commercial to industrial-commercial), 20.94 hectares at Jasai (residential to industrial), 15.58 hectares at Savarkhar (commercial to industrial), 12.16 hectares at Jaskhar (commercial to industrial), and 2.93 hectares at Funde-Jaskhar (residential to public and semi-public use). JNPA has invited objections and suggestions until June 20. Explaining the rationale, JNPA deputy chairman Ravish Kumar Singh said, "The proposal has two objectives: to release encroached and unauthorised land for productive use and support the emerging port-airport ecosystem around Navi Mumbai International Airport. We also want planned, contiguous land use instead of fragmented development." However, residents and environmental groups argue the proposal prioritises industrial expansion over environmental protection, housing needs and the welfare of project-affected communities. "The land was acquired for port development, not non-port activities. If it is meant for genuine port-related activities that generate employment, we have no objection. Otherwise, it amounts to misuse of the acquired land," said Bhushan Patil, former JNPA trustee and executive president of Uran Samajik Sanstha (USS). Residents say the proposal will surround villages with warehouses, logistics parks and industries, increasing pollution, truck traffic and pressure on civic infrastructure. "Instead of earmarking the remaining land for housing and public infrastructure, JNPA is now proposing to convert even residential areas into industrial use," said Sudhakar Patil, president of USS....