The central government on Tuesday gave its nod for carrying out a geo-technical survey for the proposed Gargai dam project by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC).
Prakash Javadekar, Union minister for environment and forest and chairman of national wildlife board, gave a green signal for the study to be carried out in the run-up to constructing of the dam, which covers a 7.5km section of Tansa wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to animals/birds of various types and hence, the survey required approval of the national wildlife board, which was pending before the ministry for more than two years. As reported in dna earlier, the state wildlife board headed by chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had approved BMC's proposal of carrying out the study in June 2012.
Development of the reservoir, which will be located in Mokhada taluka of Thane, is crucial as it will bridge the gap between Mumbai's water demand and actual supply made by the corporation. The civic body supplies 3,750 million litres of water daily to the city as against the deficit requirement of 4,200 million litres.
While additional municipal commissioner Rajiv Jalota could not be reached for his version, an official attached to BMC's water supply projects department said, "As part of the geo-technical survey, we will study the rock strata and how to carry out the required excavation without affecting ecology."
Meanwhile, the BJP unit of city on Tuesday claimed credit for the Centre's nod saying the Narendra Modi government has approved the survey proposal because of its consistent efforts. The BJP is one of the ruling parties in the BMC, besides Shiv Sena. "We are thankful to the government for the sanction. This should expedite the process towards construction of the dam. The BMC will now have to decide within what period the study will be completed. We will ensure the study is completed as soon as possible," said Manoj Kotak, BJP's group leader in the corporation.
The Shiv Sena, however, said that the nod has come from National Democratic Alliance (NDA). "It is the NDA government comprising Shiv Sena-BJP which has given permission to the study. We Mumbaikars are thankful to the government for that," said Yashodhar Phanase, civic standing committee chairman.
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