+
Bombay High Court asks BMC to maintain status quo on coastal roadwork
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Bombay High Court asks BMC to maintain status quo on coastal roadwork

The Bombay High Court has directed Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to stop coastal roadwork and maintain a status quo till June 3.

A division bench of Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice NM Jamdar heard five petitions filed by Worli Koliwada Nakhwa, Vanashakti, Collective for Spatial Alternatives member Shweta Wagh, Conservation Action Trust, and Society for Improvement, Greenery and Nature. The project has been opposed on the grounds that it poses a risk to the environment and the livelihood of the fisher community. 

Reports suggest that a deputy director at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) filed an affidavit questioning the grant of coastal regulation zone (CRZ) clearance and whether an environment clearance was required under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA). The affidavit also mentioned that, in May 2017, the MoEFCC had accorded the CRZ clearance with adequate environmental safeguards to be implemented and compiled by the BMC. The BMC is also expected to periodically carry our specific studies through the National Institute of Oceanography, during and after the construction of the project. CW has learnt that certain studies that had to be carried out have been missed; hence, the court has advised the BMC to commence those studies.

That said, matters are reportedly expected to settle down by October. However, no BMC official was available for comment. 

What’s more, another affidavit has been reportedly filed stating the BMC had submitted that no rehabilitation and resentment is involved for the 9.9-km coastal road (south) project. Once the ministry was fine with the recommendations of the expert appraisal committee, CRZ clearance was granted. 

Further, as reported, the BMC has also filed an affidavit in one of the matters, which created confusion about paperwork pertaining to the petitions. The bench, on the basis of this, reportedly directed the registrar general (judiciary) to sort all the paperwork and affidavits into a file to identify the pleadings by the counsel. 

The Bombay High Court has directed Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to stop coastal roadwork and maintain a status quo till June 3.A division bench of Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice NM Jamdar heard five petitions filed by Worli Koliwada Nakhwa, Vanashakti, Collective for Spatial Alternatives member Shweta Wagh, Conservation Action Trust, and Society for Improvement, Greenery and Nature. The project has been opposed on the grounds that it poses a risk to the environment and the livelihood of the fisher community. Reports suggest that a deputy director at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) filed an affidavit questioning the grant of coastal regulation zone (CRZ) clearance and whether an environment clearance was required under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA). The affidavit also mentioned that, in May 2017, the MoEFCC had accorded the CRZ clearance with adequate environmental safeguards to be implemented and compiled by the BMC. The BMC is also expected to periodically carry our specific studies through the National Institute of Oceanography, during and after the construction of the project. CW has learnt that certain studies that had to be carried out have been missed; hence, the court has advised the BMC to commence those studies.That said, matters are reportedly expected to settle down by October. However, no BMC official was available for comment. What’s more, another affidavit has been reportedly filed stating the BMC had submitted that no rehabilitation and resentment is involved for the 9.9-km coastal road (south) project. Once the ministry was fine with the recommendations of the expert appraisal committee, CRZ clearance was granted. Further, as reported, the BMC has also filed an affidavit in one of the matters, which created confusion about paperwork pertaining to the petitions. The bench, on the basis of this, reportedly directed the registrar general (judiciary) to sort all the paperwork and affidavits into a file to identify the pleadings by the counsel. 

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India to Invest Rs 600 Billion to Upgrade 1,000 ITIs

As part of its drive to modernise vocational training, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with Gujarat’s Labour and Employment Department, held a State-Level Workshop at the NAMTECH Campus within IIT-Gandhinagar to discuss the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation.The consultation brought together key stakeholders from industry and the training ecosystem to align expectations and support implementation of the scheme, which aims to transform 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India using a hub-and-spoke model. The total outlay stands ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India Unveils Rs 600 Billion Maritime Finance Push

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) hosted the Maritime Financing Summit 2025 in New Delhi, bringing together over 250 stakeholders including policymakers, industry leaders, global investors, and financial institutions. The summit, held under the ambit of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047, focused on transforming India into a leading maritime power with strengthened financial, infrastructural, and technological capabilities.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised India's strategic progress, noting that average port turnaround times have dropped from four days to u..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Govt Allocates Rs 500 Million To Boost Community Radio

The Central Government, through its ‘Supporting Community Radio Movement in India’ scheme, has allocated Rs 500 million to strengthen the community radio ecosystem across the country. The initiative aims to assist both newly established and long-operational Community Radio Stations (CRSs), ensuring their relevance to local educational, social, cultural, and developmental needs.According to the policy published by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, CRSs may be set up by not-for-profit organisations with at least three years of demonstrated community service. These stations are ex..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?