The Metro, once up and running, is expected to change the travel scenario of Mumbai.
The Metro, once up and running, is expected to change the travel scenario of Mumbai.
The work for first phase of Metro is on at a brisk pace, which may lead many Mumbaikars to believe that all is well. The problem, however, lies beyond the first phase, as the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) may have a tough time getting environmental clearances for the second phase of the project.
The 32km-long second phase stretch, which will run on major arterial roads including the Link Rd and SV Rd, is still awaiting the clearances from the state and the Centre.
DNA is in possession of documents which state that the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) is yet to clear the alignment of the second phase of Metro that will run from Charkop to Mankhurd via Bandra.
The minutes of the last two MCZMAmeetings, whose copies are with
DNA, state that in one of the meetings, held on March 12 this year, MMRDA officials pleaded for permission to go ahead with the second phase of Metro; terming it as a “railway” project.
“How can the MMRDA call the Metro a railway project when the state government notification regarding the same is under the Tramways Act?” said Nitin Killawala, a city-based architect and a Juhu resident, who is monitoring the project closely.
Further, the minutes also say, the MCZMA has clearly stated that permission for a car-shed at Charkop, for the second phase, will be given only after the Bombay high court and the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) give a go-ahead. “The proposed activity (car-shed) falls in CRZ-1(i) and CRZ-1(ii) where no construction is allowed. Also, it was decided not to cut any mangroves for the Charkop car depot. For the Mankhurd car depot, compensatory plantation of mangroves on 4.5 hectare land should be done near Airoli-Mulund bridge subject to permissions,” the minutes say.
As per the minutes, in a second meeting on April 29 it was decided to send the matter to the central government. Following which the MoEF forwarded the issue to its expert appraisal committee for coastal regulatory zone, infrastructure development and miscellaneous projects (EAC). The EAC at its July 22 meeting, in New Delhi, took review of all aspects of the second phase of Metro and recommended to “defer” and “de-list” the project since it is located in CRZ-1.
“The activities are not permissible as per CRZ notification, 1991. The MCZMA has not recommended the project and also there is a ban on destruction of mangroves as per the orders of the Bombay High Court. The project will be taken only after the recommendations of MCZMA on the revised location,” minutes of the EAC meeting state.
But MMRDA is in a denial mode. “As far as the clearance for the Charkop depot is
concerned, the government has already cleared it and we are awaiting a final nod from MoEF and the Centre,” Dilip Kawathkar, MMRDA spokesperson, said.
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