Mumbaikars give `split verdict' on coastal road:Mirror

Mumbaikars are divided over the proposed coastal road from Nariman Point to Kandivali, according to the feedback received by the BMC.

Nearly 490 people have formally submitted suggestions and objections over the project, which seeks to speed up travel between south Mumbai and the western suburbs.

BMC officials said that 45 per cent of the respondents support the coastal road, while the rest are opposed to any infrastructure project that damages the environment and threatens to further shrink open public space such as parks. The critics also say the 35-km coastal link will only benefit a section of motorists while doing little to ease Mumbai's traffic problems.

The civic body had formally sought residents' views on the ambitious project and the deadline for submissions ended recently.

BMC officials said that they were surprised by the near split verdict as they usually receive only objections from residents for infrastructure proposals.

“This is a rare instance where a number of people who are in favour of the project have written to us,“ an official said, adding that 217 people had sent suggestions, while 266 people had raised objections.

Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta said that a coastal road was vital to the city's efforts to speed up travel.

“We will study residents' feedback and make every effort to address all concerns,“ he said.

Andheri (W) residents have been opposing the project, saying it will displace the nana-nani park. The fishing community fears the coastal road will make it harder for them to get a good catch. Members of the Koli community have sent 296 complaints to the BMC.

The Union ministry of environment and forest had also expressed concerns about reclamation. Additional municipal commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee had recently said that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Mehta would address the ministry's concerns.

Apart from writing to the BMC, citizens -for and against the project -are also building consensus online. A petition on charge.org received 1,424 hits in support of the project.