By: Apurva Bhatt
The Rs 227-crore Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC)-Kalanagar junction improvement project was cleared by the state coastal zone management authority, but MMRDA will now have to seek the Bombay high court's approval as one of the pillars will damage a few mangrove patches.
The project envisions flyovers linking BKC to the sea link and to Kherwadi, and a road connecting Sion-Dharavi Link Road and Kherwadi to decongest the junction and Western Express Highway. About 12,000 vehicles pass through Kalanagar junction every hour.
"We received MCZMA approval on May 16. We will seek the HC's approval as a couple of mangrove patches will get affected," UPS Madan, metropolitan commissioner, said. "We have two options: either approach the court or examine the possibility of shifting the pillar or changing the pier design. We will opt for whichever proposal is feasible." He added that tenders will be issued only after the issue is sorted.
A 2005 HC order for protection of mangroves states that "regardless of ownership of the land, all construction taking place within 50m on all sides of all mangroves shall be stopped. No development permission shall be issued by any authority in respect of any area under mangroves".
MMRDA had approved the project last November after its initial plan to build underground roads didn't draw bidders.
