BMC yet to comply completely with coastal regulatory zone norms
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

BMC yet to comply completely with coastal regulatory zone norms

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has not completely complied with the provisions of coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) approval given to its coastal road project, as it has to pay at least Rs 74 crore to the state forest department for the coastal and marine biodiversity conservation.

According to a special condition laid down by the union environment ministry’s CRZ expert appraisal committee in 2017, the BMC has to give the Mangrove Foundation of Maharashtra 2% of the project value to balance the Coastal Road’s environmental influence.

The state forest department’s mangrove cell officials confirmed that the BMC is yet to pay this amount in its entirety. They additionally said that the BMC has not officially conveyed to the forest department their total cost of the project as of date, making it challenging to exact the payable amount according to the updated project prices.

Virendra Tiwari, additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF), mangrove cell told the media that the forest department has asked the BMC to deposit Rs 254 crore with them, which is 2% of the total project value of around Rs 12,700 crore. Of the Rs 254 crore, the BMC has deposited only Rs 150 crore yet despite it being necessary for the total amount to be paid on or before initiation of construction.

In 2017, when the project cost was valued at Rs 5,303 crore, the forest department had written to the BMC asking the latter to pay a sum of Rs 106.6 crore according to the conditions of the CRZ approval.

Of this, the BMC paid an initial tranche of Rs 25 crore on June 12, 2019. Due to project cost increase, the amount to be deposited toward coastal and marine conservation has also surged.

Soon after the MCZMA provided the additional land to be reclaimed (on December 2) in a post-facto approval, the BMC deposited another tranche of Rs 150 crore with the Mangrove Foundation on December 11, 2020, leaving an outstanding of Rs 74 crore. The total amount is to be added to the corpus fund of the Mangrove Foundation, which produces a certain amount of interest each year that is used in operating the organisation.

Image Source

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has not completely complied with the provisions of coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) approval given to its coastal road project, as it has to pay at least Rs 74 crore to the state forest department for the coastal and marine biodiversity conservation. According to a special condition laid down by the union environment ministry’s CRZ expert appraisal committee in 2017, the BMC has to give the Mangrove Foundation of Maharashtra 2% of the project value to balance the Coastal Road’s environmental influence. The state forest department’s mangrove cell officials confirmed that the BMC is yet to pay this amount in its entirety. They additionally said that the BMC has not officially conveyed to the forest department their total cost of the project as of date, making it challenging to exact the payable amount according to the updated project prices. Virendra Tiwari, additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF), mangrove cell told the media that the forest department has asked the BMC to deposit Rs 254 crore with them, which is 2% of the total project value of around Rs 12,700 crore. Of the Rs 254 crore, the BMC has deposited only Rs 150 crore yet despite it being necessary for the total amount to be paid on or before initiation of construction. In 2017, when the project cost was valued at Rs 5,303 crore, the forest department had written to the BMC asking the latter to pay a sum of Rs 106.6 crore according to the conditions of the CRZ approval. Of this, the BMC paid an initial tranche of Rs 25 crore on June 12, 2019. Due to project cost increase, the amount to be deposited toward coastal and marine conservation has also surged. Soon after the MCZMA provided the additional land to be reclaimed (on December 2) in a post-facto approval, the BMC deposited another tranche of Rs 150 crore with the Mangrove Foundation on December 11, 2020, leaving an outstanding of Rs 74 crore. The total amount is to be added to the corpus fund of the Mangrove Foundation, which produces a certain amount of interest each year that is used in operating the organisation. Image Source

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Anand Vihar and Punjabi Bagh Flyovers Ready

Work on two major road infrastructure projects, the Anand Vihar flyover and the Punjabi Bagh flyover, has been completed but are yet to be opened for public use, according to officials. Located in highly congested areas, work on these projects started around two years ago. "The work on the flyover is complete and it is ready for opening," said a PWD official on Wednesday. According to sources, both the flyovers are likely to be inaugurated closer to the assembly elections in Delhi, scheduled for early next year. During the time the work was under way, motorists faced heavy traffic congestion ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

RDSO finalise oscillation trials on Indore Metro

Indore Metro Phase 1 advances with the completion of oscillation and brake performance trials on the Yellow Line through three coaches manufactured by Alstom conducted by Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO). The oscillation trials were conducted with an aim to evaluate the stability and performance of the three different coaches during the movement, ensuring that the commencement of operation on Indore metro meets the safety and performance standard. The Emergency Braking Distance (EBD) was also reviewed by the RDSO team to evaluate the efficient stopping of trains during the op..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

IIT Guwahati develops sustainable geopolymer

A research team at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, led by Prof. Anil K. Mishra from the Department of Civil Engineering, has developed an innovative solution to two major global challenges: industrial waste management and sustainable construction. Their research focuses on creating a geopolymer using industrial byproducts and waste materials, such as water treatment sludge (WTS), fly ash (FA), and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS). “With the rapid pace of urbanisation and industrialisation, managing industrial waste has become a critical global issue," said IIT Guwaha..

Hi There!

"Now get regular updates from CW Magazine on WhatsApp!

Join the CW WhatsApp channel for the latest news, industry events, expert insights, and project updates from the construction and infrastructure industry.

Click the link below to join"

+91 81086 03000