Environmentalist Files Complaint With Maritime Board And BMC Over Car Parking At Proposed Colaba Jetty Project

Environmental activist Zoru Bhathena files complaint against car parking plans at proposed Colaba jetty project | File Photo

Mumbai: In another development in the objections raised by citizens against the proposed jetty project near Gateway of India, an environment activist has filed a complaint against car parking space planned on jetty.

Environmentalist Zoru Bhathena in his letter to Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has reminded the authorities that the proposed jetty is been built inside the sea waters, which is Coastal Regulation Zone – IV. “It is a jetty for boats. And not for cars,” the complaint letter says.

The state government has sanctioned Rs 229 crore for the jetty planned at Apollo Bunder, between Gateway of India and Radio Club. The ground-breaking ceremony was performed by minister for ports and fisheries Nitesh Rane last month, however, the residents of Colaba have been vehemently protesting against the project.

The Clean Heritage Colaba Residents Association (CHCRA) have been pointing traffic issues, environmental damage, harm to the heritage area and other issues that will arise due to the jetty project.

The complaint letter by Bhathena cites a news report which says 1.58 acres of big car parking is proposed at the jetty. “Vehicular movement/parking is impermissible on such proposed jetty, which is already revealed in MCZMA Recommendation in its 93rd meeting on August 25, 2014. It appears that the jetty is planned to add few hundreds of car parking inside the sea due to complete lack of parking space on the in the vicinity.”

The letter also highlights that Taj Mahal Hotel, which accounts to maximum cars in the area, has kept its own parking locked and shut, adding to the parking and traffic woes to the already congested roads in the vicinity. It demands BMC to make the shut parking spaces available.

“The MMB should ensure the proposed jetty should be for the purposes of water transport and nothing else. We call upon MCZMA to ensure no work is planned or executed in violation of CRZ Regulation. While BMC should open up existing car parking spaces in the vicinity,” Bhathena said.

Meanwhile, the CHCRA which had demanded 27 documents regarding the Colaba jetty project including all approvals, feasibility studies etc, are still waiting to get the said documents from the authorities. The association said that they had a meeting with local MLA and speaker of the assembly Rahul Narwekar on April 19 and they have been promised that by April 22 they will be given all the requested documents.

The work of the jetty continues to be on hold until the residents get all requested documents and all their queries are satisfactory answered. The stay was ordered by minister Rane on March 29 after the angered residents of Colaba, along with MLA Narwekar held a meeting with Rane voicing their objections.

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