In an important development, which could bring relief during monsoon in some low-lying areas of Mumbai, the Bombay high court on Tuesday granted permission to the government to relocate 156 mangroves in Khar Danda to make way for Brimstowad project.
The division bench of Justice V.M. Kanade and Justice Revati Mohite-Dere on Tuesday allowed the request made by BMC to relocate mangroves in Gazdar Band in Khar Danda so that a pumping station under Brimstowad project could be constructed there in an area of 2,700 square metres.
The court permitted this project on the condition that the BMC would first take requisite permission from forest and environment departments. The court has also directed the departments concerned to take decision on BMC’s application within eight weeks from the date when application is made.
Under the Rs 3,535-crore Brimstowad project, the BMC was supposed to construct pumping stations at eight places — Haji Ali, Irla (Juhu), Love Grove and Cleveland Bunder (both at Worli), Britannia (Reay Road), Gajdarbandh (Khardanda), Mogra (Santa cruz) and Mahul. Currently, only four pumping stations have been completed so far.
Work at the Gazdar Band was also stuck as there were mangroves and as per high court order, projects that would destroy mangroves are not allowed and hence BMC had approached the court.
According to BMC, if this project is completed it would not allow accumulation of water during monsoon in Santa Cruz (west), Khar (west) and Milan Subway.
The civic body is constructing storm water pumping station at various places under the storm water drain augmentation project. The project is expected to help solve water-logging problems in low-lying areas of the city.
