Mumbai: Over 400 trees, including 187 mangroves, could be affected as regulator Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has recommended to the Union environment ministry BMC’s proposal for a second flyover as part of the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road corridor (phase 4) and a clover leaf interchange with four left passes.The clover leaf interchange is proposed through an ecologically sensitive zone (CRZ IA), a mangrove and mangrove buffer zone (CRZ IA), an intertidal zone (CRZ IB) and CRZ II. Some part of the flyover falls in CRZ IA as also the free lefts from Thane to Airoli, Thane to Nahur, and Airoli to Mumbai. Compensatory afforestation has been proposed in Chandrapur district, for which over 4 hectares will be provided in Amdi Begde village. MCZMA has submitted an application to the Thane creek flamingo sanctuary as the project will fall within its eco-sensitive zone.NOC for marina soughtMCZMA also directed the project proponent of the proposed inland water transport terminal (marina) at Cuffe Parade to obtain an NOC from MMRDA stating that it is not in conflict with the Nariman Point-Colaba/Cuffe Parade bridge. The bridge is currently under the Union environment ministry’s consideration. The total built-up area for the project has been scaled down from 35,000sqm to 18,600sqm. The project components include foreshore facilities such as promenade, an immigration centre on 10,000sqm of reclaimed land, a jetty, a road, a ramp for yachts and a breakwater navigational channel, a turning circle and a floatel.For the MMRDA bridge, MCZMA has introduced a fresh clause—10.3—replacing the earlier 5.3(c) of CRZ norms to explain the structure’s permissibility. Clause 10.3 specifically applies to Mumbai city and suburbs and designates all open spaces as non-development zones.New GAIL pipelineMCZMA also recommended to the Union ministry a proposal by GAIL to augment the Dahej-Uran-Dabhol-Panvel natural gas pipeline’s capacity to meet growing demand in Raigad and Ratnagiri districts. The Centre has been pushing for augmentation of LNG services since the start of the Iran-US war. The proposed 105km pipeline will run parallel to the existing corridor. No mangrove cutting is involved in its laying.Aid for Ratnagiri beachThe regulator approved financial assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh per month for a year for Ladghar beach in Ratnagiri district, which has been selected for the Centre’s blue flag certification scheme. In all, five beaches in Maharashtra have been selected for the scheme, of which Ladghar, Shrivardhan and Guhaghar are likely to be recommended to the national jury. The local gram panchayat had sent a letter stating it does not have sufficient financial resources to pay the beach manager, two security guards and four housekeeping staff. The objective of the blue flag programme is to conserve and maintain the beach environment with sustainable development.
