Provide third party details on metro car shed: SIC to MMRDA

The state information commission (SIC), in an order, has directed the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority(MMRDA) to provide third-party details related to Metro Car Shed in Goregaon and Charkop.

The order was given by state chief information commissioner, Sumit Mullick on April 30 2019, the date of the final hearing.

The order, which was out recently, was given on an RTI application filed by Debi Goenka, an environmentalist. Goenka through his application on June 2017, had sought details of details regarding the land requirement for metro car shed at Goregaon and at Charkop.

He had asked, among other details, area of land, maps, studies conducted, complaints and land acquisition among others.

Environmentalists have often raised a hue and cry over Metro Car Shed stating that the city is losing green cover.

They had also protested the car shed coming on land that has mangroves.

"I had sought the details because I wanted to know what exactly the authorities are doing in closed-door meetings. They had shortlisted seven to eight sites for the car shed, however not much was know about its selection and what they are doing. I was not interested in car shed per se but wanted to know what they are colluding to ensure that they give away the land parcel to builders," alleged Goenka.

He added, "It seems like a clever strategy to bypass CRZ norms and make a fortune. These plots have mangroves and suspicion is that ultimately in the name of the metro car shed and citing lawful takeover, large tracts of lands will be given away to builders."

After Goenka sought information, he was asked to inspect the files as information he had sought was voluminous.

While all information was given, details of the third party were not stating that it cannot be provided.

"There was no remark of anything being confidential when we did an inspection. In any case, if the public interest outweighs the private interest, they cannot withhold information under the Right to Information Act. They cannot deny information to us," said Goenka. The commission stated that the third party details be provided to the applicant in another 15 days.

MMRDA and Metro officials did not get back to DNA when approached for a comment.

ENHANCED TRANSPARENCY

• Environmentalists have often raised a hue and cry over Metro Car Shed stating that the city is losing green cover
   
• They had also protested the car shed coming on land that has mangroves.
   
• While all information was given when an RTI was filled, details of the third party were not stating that it cannot be provided