BEST services to Kanheri may resume

Replying to a petition filed by the Bombay Environment Action Group (BEAG) on May 7, 1997, the division bench had also ruled that a high-level committee be appointed to stop the destruction of the park. It had ordered the concerned authorities to disallow the plying of buses, taxis and autos in the park area. Acting on the ruling, BEST buses, taxis and autorickshaws, excluding private vehicles, were banned entry into the park area. This had affected the commuting of thousands of people residing in the vicinity of Kanheri caves and other tribal hamlets in the park. Along with buses, horse-driven tongas will also start plying again. The ban had deprived tonga-owners of their daily bread and led to the starvation of horses.

Naik, who had spearheaded a delegation to resolve the issues that were causing inconvenience to the public, said the collector has agreed to look into the matter to try and restart the bus service. He is also looking into a suggestion of not demolishing huts which were built prior to 1995. The huts are to be numbered to instill the confidence in the dwellers that their huts will not be demolished, Naik said. Dr Chahande has reportedly agreed to this suggestion and assured its early implementation.

However, the judgement is silent on the status of the Mafco factory and staff quarters and the power distribution unit of the MSEB, which are housed on the road to the caves, stated Naik

Park officials, on the other hand, said the resumption of the bus service and other polluting means of transport within the park area would again lead to a rise in pollution levels. They also feared that this might lead to an increase in other commercial activities in the various illegal slums which have encroached upon park land for over two decades.

Meanwhile, Naik has further stated that the high level monitoring committee should take appropriate steps to approach the authorities for protecting the tribals who reside in the area.He said he and Mehta may file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the High Court’s orders.