Even as the coastal road has been touted as a solution to end Mumbai’s traffic woes, civic activists have expressed fear that instead of serving its real purpose, it would only fuel real estate development. Activists said the project was a ploy by the developers to exploit no development zone under the relaxed Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
In a letter sent to the BMC, Godfrey Pimenta from the Watchdog Foundation has said, “The project is nothing but a back door entry to fuel real estate development in ‘no development zone’ area along Aksa, Erangal, Marve, Manori and Gorai coastal areas. Once the coastal road is constructed, these areas which are now classified as CRZ-III category will automatically qualify for CRZ-II category under CRZ Notification where the norms for development are less stringent. It is a game plan of big developers to grab ‘no development zone’ for development in future.”
The 35.6 km coastal road project would also destroy city’s mangrove cover, he added. “There are two jetties proposed each at Gorai Village, the entrance of Global Pagoda towards Manori Creek Side and Manori Village towards Marve side.
Entire Imtri area in Dongri is proposed as a Natural Resource Based Development Zone. Similarly, part of Manori, Gorai and Chowk villages have been proposed as Natural Resource Based Development Zones and Tourism Development Zones. The costal road will destroy these virgin islands, which have been identified for intensive conservation of mangroves by the Centre.”
The project, to be built at a cost of Rs 20,000 crore, would benefit city’s miniscule of only six per cent while 94 per cent of the population would be deprived of benefits of such a massive investment which would only add to the air pollution and degradation of environment.
The coastal road would be of no use to a large slum population, which primarily depends on public transport, said the Watchdog Foundation.
The BMC has asked Mumbaikars to send their suggestions and objections for the project by July 27.
