Coastal road project gets environment ministry nod

The coastal road project between Nariman Point and Kandivali has got clearance from the Union ministry of environment andforests, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Monday morning.

"Thank you @PrakashJavdekar jee for approving coastal road for Mumbai. It's a dream come true. Best gift to Mumbai by Modiji's Govt. (sic)," tweeted Fadnavis.

The draft notification of the clearance is expected to be published by June 15. The final notification will be out by Independence Day on August 15.

According to Fadnavis, there will be no change in the high tide line or theprevalent restrictions on construction activity in coastal zones. He also assured that there will not be any misuse of real estate.

"We have agreed to furnish it. The Centre also wanted an assurance from the state regarding the reclamation of some mangrove-laden tracts and we have committed to fulfill all legal obligations in this regard," said Fadnavis at Delhi on Monday.

The clearance for the road project was stuck as the environment ministry was hesitant to allow reclamation of sea, prohibited under the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) notification. CRZ norms are being modified accordingly to make room for this big-ticket project.

"The environment ministry has granted in-principle clearance to the project on certain conditions", Javadekar told dna.

"Reclamation should be restricted as much as possible. The reclaimed land should not be used for real-estate development and reclamation should not be allowed in the high tide line," he said.

In addition to the reclaimed stretches, 17.8 km would pass through tunnels, stilts, surface roads and elevated roads. Mangroves in Khar, Bandra, Versova and Oshiwara would be reclaimed for the project and the ministry has asked the Maharashtra government to plant double the number of mangroves reclaimed for the project.

A substantial area of 160 hectares will be reclaimed for the project to build a 9.8-km stretch and an additional 8 km will be built on reclaimed mangroves.

The 34-km long road has already attracted opposition from resident groups, environmentalists and transport analysts. Their argument is thatthe project will only promote ownership of private vehicles and there is need to improve public transportation systems.

"It is unfortunate if a final go-ahead has been given for the coastal road. Just go ahead and spend the same money on the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (between Sewri and Nhava), if the government is interested only in very big projects. People will stay in Panvel in affordable accommodation and reach Central Mumbai in less than an hour," said environmentalist Rishi Aggarwal.

On April 7, dna had reported about state opting for Coastal Road instead of a string of sea links. This project will have four lanes with two corridors reserved for Bus Rapid Transit System.

The project will have two undersea tunnels. The estimated completion time is 5-6 years at one-sixth cost of sea links on western Mumbai. It will be built on a Public-Private Partnership model.

Fadnavis had rejected the idea of bringing in a new policy, and instead, asked the Centre to relax reclamation norms. This would be the second time the ministry would be easing CRZ norms for reclamation, after the relaxation granted for building the Shivaji Maharaj equestrian statue in Arabian Sea.

Announcing clearance for the project on Monday after meeting Prakash Javadekar, Fadnavis said: "Clearance has been granted for the coastal road project...Today, 60% of Mumbai's traffic plies on the Western Express Highway and this project will help in decongesting this traffic."