Latest news with #MCZMA
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
HC clears Colaba jetty after weighing balance between progress and preservation
Mumbai: Bombay high court on Tuesday upheld the state govt and Maharashtra Maritime Board's (MMB) decision to construct a passenger jetty and terminal facilities near Radio Club, Colaba. "The pursuit of development is not an affront to the environment when it walks the careful path of sustainability guarded by regulations and reasons," said Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne. They gave the ruling after considering the material on record, expert opinions, statutory clearances, weighed the scales between progress and preservation and took into account the fact that the project stands fortified by statutory clearance. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The verdict came on three petitions, including by Clean and Heritage Colaba Residents Association, challenging the decision of the state govt and the MMB to construct the jetty, as well as the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority clearance and traffic and heritage NOCs given to the project. The petitioners argued that the Gateway of India monument is a Grade I heritage structure, and the promenade comes within 100 metres of the precinct. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo They said the magnitude of the project includes a 64,000 sq ft terminal with a cafe, shops, open amphitheatre and VIP lounge and a tennis racket shaped jetty that will extend over half a kilometre into the sea. When operational, it would dwarf the area and dominate the sea-front. It will congest the already crowded area. The judges noted that the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee recorded that the jetty "would not obstruct the view of the surrounding heritage structures". There is no "infirmity" in the heritage NOC. Traffic police NOC was valid as it considered the jetty's parking facility will decongest P J Ramchandani Road. The judges said the project meets the principle of sustainable development where the proposed development is carried out with minimal damage to the environment. It envisages construction "involving virtually no reclamation of the sea". The MCZMA applied its mind to all environment concerns before giving clearances. The petitioners said a 2000 report that recommended Ferry Wharf for passenger jetty was not disclosed. The judges said the purpose then was to connect Mumbai to Navi Mumbai. The present jetty is to decongest the existing 5 small jetties used by around 35 lakh passengers. MCZMA was not supposed to consider an alternative site. They said the project's dominant purpose is to provide facilities to the passengers for embarkation and disembarkation. Other facilities like amphitheatre, restaurant, cafe are only ancillary to it and "have to be used to make the jetty functional". The judges were "conscious" that there is no sewage treatment plant envisaged in the project and "functioning of the facilities should not be detrimental to the environment. " Therefore, having ascertained from advocate general Birendra Saraf, they issued directions. MMB shall ensure that the amphitheatre shall be used only as a sitting area for passengers and not "as a place of entertainment in any manner". Also, the proposed restaurant/ cafe shall only be used "to provide water and packed food products to the passengers and shall not be used for providing dining facilities." After completing the project, the existing jetties at Gateway shall be discontinued in a phased manner as directed by the Indian Navy.
NDTV
4 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
'Not Irrational, Arbitrary': Jetty Near Gateway Of India Cleared By High Court
Mumbai: In a major boost for Mumbai's coastal infrastructure, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed a series of public interest litigations challenging the construction of a passenger jetty and terminal near the iconic Gateway of India. Affirming its legality and public necessity, the court gave its nod for the ambitious waterfront project, being carried out by the Maharashtra government and Mumbai Maritime Board (MMB), but also issued directives to ensure that public interest and statutory safeguards remain paramount. The verdict came after months of heated arguments between local residents' associations, environmentalists, and the State. The petitioners, including the Clean Heritage Colaba Residents Association and prominent citizens raised concerns about environmental degradation, flawed site selection, heritage violations, and a lack of public consultation. Project In Public Interest, Not Arbitrary: Court Delivering the judgment, Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep V Marne held that the project was a considered policy decision made in public interest and fell within the permissible framework of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 2019 Notification. "The decision to locate the project near Radio Club, despite historical preference for Ferry Wharf, does not render it irrational or arbitrary," the court observed, adding, "Policy decisions cannot be interfered with unless they are manifestly arbitrary, which is not the case here." The court also noted that all relevant regulatory approvals, including CRZ clearance from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), heritage no-objection certificate (NOC) from Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC), and permissions from the Archaeological Department and Mumbai Traffic Police had been duly obtained. Judicial Review Limited In Technical, Policy Matters Emphasising judicial restraint, the court cited past Supreme Court judgments that said courts must defer to expert bodies on infrastructure and environmental matters unless decisions are mala fide or ultra vires. The judges rejected the petitioners' argument that the proposed jetty could not be treated as a "standalone" facility. The project includes a 570-metre-long racquet-shaped jetty with 10 boarding platforms, a terminal with a VIP lounge, parking for 150 cars, cafes, a food court, and an amphitheatre. Despite these facilities, the court accepted the state's argument that these were ancillary to a passenger jetty, thus qualifying it for clearance by the state-level MCZMA rather than the central Ministry of Environment. Concerns Addressed A central plank of the petitioners' argument was a report submitted in 2000 by consulting engineers recommending Ferry Wharf as the most environmentally and operationally suitable site. However, the court found that the MMB was not bound by the two-decade-old report, especially in light of changing urban dynamics and expert inputs from subsequent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies. "Even assuming Ferry Wharf was once preferable, the MMB's departure from it is not unjustified," the court ruled. "There is no obligation to follow prior expert recommendations in perpetuity, especially when alternate expert assessments have validated the current site." Critically Vulnerable Coastal Area? On the argument that the project falls within a "critically vulnerable coastal area," the bench held that the CRZ 2019 notification and subsequent amendments permitted construction of standalone passenger jetties in such zones, subject to safeguards. The petitioners' fear that the development would damage heritage views and marine ecology were also dismissed as speculative. The court also noted the extensive mitigation measures and the fact that similar projects in the vicinity had previously received clearances. Decongestion Benefits The court took note of the public benefit the project seeks to bring. It would "decongest the traffic and tourism load" at the Gateway of India and modernise the long-standing but outdated jetty infrastructure. The judgment emphasised that more than 3.5 million passengers currently use the makeshift jetties annually, often in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. The new terminal aims to provide secure boarding, emergency facilities, accessibility for the disabled, and structured traffic management. Safeguards While dismissing the petitions against the Colaba passenger jetty project, the court also issued a series of directions to ensure that the development does not violate environmental or heritage norms and remains within the regulatory framework. The directions are as follows: Mandatory compliance with approvals: The Mumbai Maritime Board and executing authorities must strictly adhere to all conditions imposed by the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority, Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee, the Archaeological Department, and the Mumbai Traffic Police. Any violation will be treated as non-compliance with statutory approvals. Ancillary facilities to remain secondary: Facilities such as the amphitheatre, food court, cafe, and VIP lounge proposed as part of the terminal are to remain incidental to the jetty's primary purpose as a passenger terminal. They cannot be expanded or operated in a way that changes the nature of the project into a commercial or recreational venture. Periodic monitoring by MCZMA: The MCZMA is directed to carry out regular monitoring of the project's construction and operational phases to ensure there are no unauthorised modifications or breaches of the Coastal Regulation Zone clearance. Environmental safeguards for marine health: The disposal of sewage, effluents, and grey/black water from terminal facilities and berthed vessels must be managed through approved systems as per the EIA plan. No untreated discharge will be permitted into the sea. Preservation of Gateway of India: The court directed that the jetty project must not obstruct the visibility, physical access, or structural integrity of the Gateway of India. The heritage precinct must remain undisturbed in both construction and operational stages. Construction impact reporting: The project proponents must assess and report the ecological impact of piling and marine construction activities, especially during monsoon and marine breeding seasons. These reports must be submitted to the MCZMA for oversight. No precedent for other CRZ projects: The court clarified that its approval for this project is case-specific. It cannot be cited as a precedent or justification for similar developments in other ecologically sensitive CRZ-I or CRZ-IV areas without a full and independent regulatory assessment.
News18
10-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Andheri-Goregaon Bridge Construction To Start By August: What We Know
Last Updated: The bridge between Andheri West and Goregaon West is delayed due to 2,500 slum structures. BMC plans to relocate them and start construction by August. Despite being approved three years ago, the work on a crucial bridge linking Andheri West and Goregaon West has yet to begin. After receiving nod from the Bombay High Court in May this year, the project faces a new challenge– 2,500 slum structures. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), however, is ready with a solution to relocate these tenements and expects to kickstart construction on the bridge by August, reported Hindustan Times. According to BMC records, a 500-metre cable-stayed bridge over the Oshiwara Creek was approved at the end of 2022. The six-lane bridge, valued at Rs 499.20 crore as reported by the news outlet, will connect Millat Nagar in Andheri West to Bhagat Singh Nagar in Goregaon West. Offering an alternative to the congested New Link Road, it is expected to improve connectivity between Andheri, Oshiwara, Lokhandwala and Goregaon. The bridge project, greenlit in 2022, encountered a lengthy approval process. Its path through sensitive environmental areas, including Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) and No Development Zones (NDZ) containing mangroves, marshland, and a creek, necessitated numerous clearances. Permissions were awaited from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), the forest department, and the high court. While these approvals were pending, contractors were invited to bid, resulting in a contract cost of Rs 499.20 crore and an overall project cost, including overheads, of Rs 694 crore, the report added. The MCZMA granted its approval in May 2023, but with specific conditions. The BMC was required to comply with the CRZ Notification, 2019, and construct the bridge on stilts to lessen its environmental impact on the mangroves. The authority also warned that the bridge's construction should not interfere with local fishermen's activities, disrupt the creek's water flow, or lead to the dumping of solid waste in the creek. In 2024, the BMC sought the High Court's permission adhering to a 2018 High Court order that necessitated judicial permission for building in mangrove and buffer zones. The BMC said that 31 mangroves would need to be cut down, proposing to plant 444 new ones as compensation. In May 2025, the court granted its approval, deeming the bridge a matter of public interest. 'The project is a public utility project proposed for traffic management to smoothen the vehicular congestion and to improve direct connectivity of underdeveloped areas," the court said as reported by the news outlet. The BMC said that is equipped with a plan for the slums. Additional municipal commissioner Abhijeet Bangar, who visited the site this week told the news outlet, 'Excavation work on the Andheri West side will start around August. On the Goregaon side, where the slums remain to be cleared, there is an ongoing SRA project, and the developer has assured us that he will clear all the homes in the bridge's way in the next few months. All permissions are in, so we're hopeful that work will soon take off smoothly." view comments First Published: July 10, 2025, 23:22 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Centre approves new MCZMA committee
MUMBAI: After eight months, the central government has approved the new Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA). It had earlier rejected two panels that the state had suggested. There has been an immense delay in forming the new MCZMA committee, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed displeasure with the delay, said sources. Picture of Versova coast line (Picture by Yogesh Naik) The last meeting regarding this matter was held on December 10 and 11 under the tenure of Pravin Darade, Principal Secretary of the Environment Department. Since the earlier MCZMA committee's tenure had expired, Vinita Vaid Singhal, who headed the environment department, had recommended names. However, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests informed the State Environment Department that those who had worked in MCZMA for two terms could not be part of it again. Finally, a new list was sent, and the notification was issued on Monday. More than 165 projects are awaiting clearance, said sources, with some having been cleared by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), City Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), and other government organisations. Projects that fall under the purview of the Coastal Regulation Zone of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, have to take clearance from the MCZMA before commencing work. This includes projects in the coastal areas of Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. The new committee will be headed by Jayashree Bhoj, the secretary of the environment department. It will comprise the additional chief secretary of revenue and urban development, secretary of the ministry of industries, fisheries commissioner, the additional principal chief conservator of forests (mangrove cell), BMC commissioner, director of Mumbai Research of Central Marine Fisheries Research, and member secretary of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. It will also include Dr Lakshmipura Revanasiddappa Ranganath, ex-scientist of Central Water and Power Research Station, Dr Milind Madhav Sardesai, head of the botany department at the Savitribai Phule Pune University, and Dr Amit Ratanlal Bansiwal, chief scientist at the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI). Aneesh Andheria from the Wildlife Conservation Trust and chairperson of the Bombay Natural History Society will be a member. The director of the environment will be the member secretary. A senior officer of the environment department said the next meeting will be held next week. Dhaval Ajmera, secretary of the Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry, said, 'We are very happy that the new committee has been formed. It was long overdue. I hope that the meetings will be held fast for quicker decisions.''
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Court allows Reliance to build pipeline in ‘protected coastal zone'
The Bombay High Court has allowed Reliance Industries Limited to proceed with laying its proposed ethylene dichloride and effluent pipelines through Coastal Regulation Zone-IA (CRZ-IA) in Maharashtra, subject to strict compliance with environmental conditions and court-mandated safeguards. Also Read | SBI classifies Reliance Communications loan as 'fraud', reports Anil Ambani to RBI A Division Bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep V. Marne passed the judgement on July 1, 2025, while disposing of three writ petitions filed by Reliance seeking permission to execute its proposed ethylene dichloride pipeline project. A detailed order of the judgement was made available on July 2. In its petition, Reliance said that it is a public limited company incorporated under the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956, and is engaged in the business of exploration of petroleum products. 'The petitioner is in the process of setting up poly vinyl chloride manufacturing unit at their existing petrochemical plant at village Nagothane, taluka – Roha, district – Raigad in the State of Maharashtra.' On January 18, 2019, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF) issued a gazette notification for controlling and regulating the activities within the Coastal Regulation Zone by superseding the previous CRZ notification, which was issued on January 6, 2011. In August 2024, the petitioner conducted an environmental impact assessment through an environmental consultant accredited to the National Accreditation Board of Education & Training (NABET) and submitted a final report in August 2024. Reliance submitted an application seeking permission from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA). On January 3, 2025, MCZMA sent its recommendations to the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF & CC), New Delhi, for clearance. The MoEF & CC, on February 12, 2025, granted CRZ clearance to the project. On April 11, 2025, a consent was granted by the Mangrove Cell, following which, on March 18, 2025, the petitioner submitted an application for forest clearance to the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Alibag. The Divisional Forest Officer then forwarded the proposal to the MoEF & CC, following which, on May 20, 2025, the MoEF & CC granted in-principal approval under Section 2 (1) of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. After that, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board accorded permission on May 20, 2025, to the project. Public utility project The judges observed, 'The project in question is a public utility project. All the authorities, i.e., MoEF and MCZMA, have granted permissions to the project of the petitioner. It is also pertinent to note that the project of the petitioner does not involve cutting down any mangroves. It is seen that the MCZMA has recommended the project for grant of CRZ clearance by the MoEF, which in turn granted the CRZ clearance.' The court rejected objections raised by the Bombay Environmental Action Group (BEAG), which argued that such an activity was prohibited under the 2019 CRZ notification and lacked necessary forest and tree felling permissions. The bench held that Clause 5 of the 2019 notification permits laying pipelines for public utilities in CRZ-IA using trenchless horizontal directional drilling methods, as planned by Reliance. On the issue of felling of trees and forest clearance, the court found that the necessary approvals had been obtained, and the trees in question were not mangroves. Disposing of the petitions, the court directed Reliance to file an undertaking within two weeks ensuring full compliance with the terms and conditions attached to the statutory clearances. The judgment also reaffirmed the court's earlier ruling in 2006, which had mandated that any development in CRZ areas must be vetted by the court to safeguard ecologically sensitive zones.
