Dutch firms to conduct pre-feasibility study on reclamation-related projects

These include proposed projects such as the Rs 10,000 crore coastal road stretching from Marine Drive to Malad,creation of a freshwater barrage and marina at Mahim,preparation of customised CRZ (Coastal Regulations Zone) rules for Mumbai and looking at an institutional mechanism for giving environmental clearances for reclamation projects at the state level itself.

A detailed study is proposed on all these aspects by the firms,in consultation with Holland-based reclamation expert Ronald Waterman who had earlier made a presentation before the chief minister on the subject.

More than a quarter of the 35-km stretch of the proposed coastal freeway would be reclaimed land while the rest would be connected through elevated roads,bridges and tunnels.

Though reclamation is the cheapest option,it has also raised concerns about the possible adverse environmental impact on the direction of tidal waves and erosion.

The Mahim freshwater barrage-cum-marina plan is part of the suggestions made by Surbana,a Singapore-based consultant appointed by the MMRDA to come up with Concept Plan (Mumbai 2052).

“It is proposed that a water reservoir be created right in the heart of the city at Mahim bay from where fresh water amounting to an estimated 100 million litres daily (mld) can be supplied to Mumbai. It can also serve as marina for the public,” said MTSU urban planner Sulakshana Mahajan.

MTSU officials say that the other two issues relating to tailor-made CRZ rules for Mumbai are meant to address the unique concerns of the peninsula. “Mumbai owes its 435-sq km land mass to reclamation from the sea. Though the CRZ notification of 2011 has made a special case for Mumbai,we feel that more changes are required in the policy considering the space crunch in the city,” MTSU director B C Khatua said.

He added that based on the Mumbai-specific comprehensive checklist,the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority or any state level panel can give environmental clearance and avoid delays caused to crucial infrastructure projects that have to wait for nod from the Central ministry.

Besides these four,two other proposals that the Dutch consulate expressed an interest in studying are the plans for creating an artificial island off the Eastern waterway and building an airport on the reclaimed land near Alibaug. However,MTSU officials,said these two projects do not need to be taken up on priority basis. The plan for creating seven islands in the sea between Mumbai,Alibaug and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) — to be connected by mass transit systems — will be explored only post-1930.

As part of the plan,the MTSU is already studying the history of reclamation in Mumbai since 1700. It has also started comparing topographic sheets and satellite images and studying similar projects in Singapore,China,Netherland,Australia,Hong Kong and Middle East that have carried out extensive reclamation.