The Bombay High Court has reportedly directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to stop coastal roadwork and maintain a status quo till June 3. Five petitions have been 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 also 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.  

CW has learnt that certain studies that had to be carried out have been missed; hence, BMC has been advised to commence those studies.

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

BMC has also reportedly filed an affidavit in one of the matters, which created confusion about paperwork pertaining to the petitions. On the basis of this, it is known that the bench has directed the registrar general (judiciary) to sort all the paperwork and affidavits into a file.