The Union environment ministry gave its crucial nod for Mumbai's 32-km-long coastal road project. The road will extend from Cuffe Parade to Kandivli, with the stretches between Cuffe Parade and Priyadarshini Park (along Marine Drive) and Juhu and Versova beaches having tunnels and the Worli seafront extending itself into the waters as part of the reclamation plan. There will be 10 km of tunnels, 10 km of the road will be on reclaimed land, and 12 km will be on stilt.
The road will reduce travel time between Cuffe Parade and Kandivli by 90 minutes during peak time and reduce pollution as it will cut fuel consumption. However, once built, the road may lead to the charging of toll in addition to the one on the Bandra-Worli sea link as the state has decided to seek private participation in the Rs.13,000 crore project. The state has promised to offset toll on cars in future projects by raising equity with the Centre, but how that works out is to be seen, and private participation in such a big-ticket project may attract some toll.
CM Devendra Fadnavis on Monday called on Union minister of state for environment and climate change Prakash Javadekar at Indira Paryavaran Bhawan to seek clearance for the project. “I think it is a major gift to Mumbaikars, and it is like a dream come true,“ Fadnavis said.
Fadnavis said the project would decongest Mumbai and create 91 hectares of green spaces. “This would lead to transformation of Mumbai's transport infrastructure. Presently, 60% of the traffic is on Western Express Highway , and the road will help decongest traffic along the western corridor.“
Fadnavis said the timeline for the project has been drawn.“The draft notification will be issued by June 15, and the final notification by August 15,“ he said, pointing out that there would not be any dilution of the high-tide line or changes to prevalent restrictions imposed on construction activity in coastal zones. “No change in high-tide line means no use of land or FSI nearby for commercial gains.Thus there is no threat from real estate to the reclaimed land. Also, open spaces to be created along certain stretches will be green belts with walking tracks,“ said a BMC official.
“Even the real estate would not be misused. Care would be taken with regard to transportation and green spaces. My government has assured the Centre that it will agree to furnish and abide by all the norms,“ Fadnavis said, pointing out that the Centre wanted an assurance regarding replantation of some mangrove-laden tracts, and the state had committed to fulfill all legal obligations in this regard.
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