Mumbai: Corporators eye SGNP internal roads as an alternative to WEH

Some corporators have also met Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) of SGNP, Anwar Ahmad, requesting him to allow their vehicles on SGNP’s internal roads to reach Bhandup, from where they can use the Eastern Freeway to reach the BMC head office opposite the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Khursange said, “After the Metro work started, there is huge traffic on WEH… we end up spending three to four hours in travelling. We have to attend several meetings, including the general body and works committee meetings, in the BMC head office, and most of the time, we get stuck in traffic and reach late. This way work also suffers.”

“The police and forest department officials are allowed use SGNP roads, and since we have a genuine problem, we have made this request,” she added.

Khursange said, “We, 18 corporators from Magathane, Dahisar and Borivali, have requested authorities to allow us to use the SGNP road. This way, we can get to Bhandup and take the Freeway to reach CSMT. This will cut down travel time from three hours to one-and-a-half hours. Fifteen days ago, we had met SNGP authorities and conveyed our problem. They told us that they would see what can be done.”

However, the Wildlife Act clearly restricts the use of core forest areas for any private vehicle movement. “There have been demands from the corporators to allow their vehicles, but nobody is allowed to use the internal roads of SGNP since it is a national park,” said the CCF.

A senior SGNP official said, “The demands of the corporators are surprising. If private vehicles are allowed inside the core protected forest, there will always be a risk for wild animals. Honking will also affect them. In the past, there have been instances when deer or monkeys were hit by vehicles. Also, if they are allowed to use SGNP roads, this will set a precedent and more people will come forward with the same demand.”