In a huge shot in the arm for Mumbai’s fisher-folk, residents of coastal neighbourhoods and environmental conservation organisations, the Supreme Court has refused to strike down the July 22 order passed by the Bombay High Court that makes environmental clearance mandatory for the ambitious Mumbai Coastal Road Project.
The apex court has issued notice to the Maharashtra government in the matter and the case will now be heard on August 20.
On July 22, the Bombay High court had set aside the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for the much hyped Coastal Road project that aims to connect Marine Drive in South Mumbai to the northern suburb of Kandivali. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and justice NM Jamdar of the Bombay High Court was hearing a batch of petitions against the Rs 14,000 crore project that has drawn sharp criticism from activists, residents who live along the coast and the fishing community.
The PILs were filed in response to the CRZ clearance granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in May 2017. Petitioners objected to the construction of a proposed 10 kilometer long stretch from Marine Drive to Bandra, stating that it would cause damage to the coastline as well as marine life in the region. A key aspect of the petition also dealt with fisher-folk who stand to lose their livelihoods if the project is allowed to go through.