Mumbai: BMC divides Coastal Road project into two phases

As per the new plan, the Coastal Road project has been divided into two phases — the south and north phase. While the south phase runs from the Princess Street flyover till the south end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, the north phase covers the stretch from the north end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link till Kandivli.

The BMC had earlier applied for approval of the MCZMA for the entire 34-km stretch of the project from Princess Street flyover till Kandivli.

Despite several adjustments to the alignment, the project had been criticised by activists and environmentalists while the MCZMA had refused to give its nod and had instead asked the BMC to revise the plan to reduce the damage to the mangroves.

Senior civic officials said the plan had been revised to leave out the mangroves of the south phase so that the work on the project can begin.

“The north end has the Juhu beach tunnel and the mangroves which are the primary reasons for the delay in getting the environmental clearances. We have thus, applied for separate permissions for the two phases so that the work on the south phase can at least begin. The MCZMA officials said they have no objection with the south phase. The state government has given a tentative approval,” said a senior official.

Despite the efforts of the civic officials to expedite the process, the work on the coastal road project will not begin this year. “Even if we begin with the pre-bid process, the agencies will need 60 days to get the required drawings and other documents in order. We will not have enough time to issue the work orders before December 7,” said the official.

When contacted, Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta said since it is a massive project, it needs to be done in phases. “We want the work to start since our primary focus is to decongest three areas — Pedder Road, Haji Ali junction and near Amarsons in Breach Candy. We are hopeful that the environmental clearances will come in a speedy manner,” he said.