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The state-run Mangrove Foundation has written to the setting division to ensure that BMC, which is executing the coastal highway mission in Mumbai, complies with conditions pertaining to the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) clearance it had acquired earlier than its proposals for extra reclamation is cleared.
According to the conditions of the CRZ clearance, BMC had to pay 2 per cent (Rs 254 crore) of the entire price of the mission (Rs 12,721 crore) to the Mangrove Foundation on or earlier than the graduation of labor in December 2018. However, the civic physique has solely paid the inspiration Rs 25 crore until date.
In a letter to Principal Secretary (Environment) Manisha Mhaiskar, dated October 29, the inspiration has highlighted the non-compliance by BMC.
“It is brought to your kind consideration that the project proponent [BMC] is yet to deposit Rs 227.42 crore to the Mangrove Foundation, which is a breach of the specific condition 12 of the clearance given to the project. Moreover, BMC has already approached the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA under the environment department) for the clearance of additional reclamation works to be carried out for the coastal road the project,” said the letter by Virendra Tiwari, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Mangrove Cell).
It added: “I request you to kindly ensure that the compliance of the specific condition given in reference no. 1 (payment of Rs 227.42 crore) shall be ensured before considering the new amendment to the project.”
The transfer comes after BMC and Mangrove Foundation officers received right into a verbal spat over the non-payment in a gathering held within the final week of October. Those current within the assembly stated that BMC at one level additionally inquired about how the Rs 25 crore it had paid to the inspiration is being utilised.
“…Rs 25 crore has been added to the Mangrove Foundation’s corpus and kept in fixed deposits as per the foundation’s mandate. The interest earned thereon is utilised for improving coastal and marine biodiversity of Mumbai and Thane region and to build awareness among citizens…,” the letter stated.
An official stated, “There is no mention of payment to be made in installments in the CRZ clearance. BMC was supposed to deposit the money on or before the commencement of the project.”
In a gathering with MCZMA officers, the BMC had stated that the size of the coastal highway is ready to enhance from 9.98 km to 10.58 km and the change is due to consideration of curvatures and minor variations in ramp positions. It had added that the entire space of the highway falling underneath the CRZ may even enhance from 117.05 hectare to 134.42 hectare.
While the entire reclamation required for the mission as per the BMC has gone up from 90 hectare to 111 hectare, until date, the civic physique has reclaimed round 65 hectare for the highway. The coastal highway is being constructed from Princess Street Flyover at Marine Drive to Worli or south finish of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
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