The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests has given the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) clearance for the second sea link project in Mumbai ? the proposed Versova-Bandra sea link.. With very less space available for the construction of new roads and expansion of existing roads the sea link is an important project to reduce commuting time and traffic congestion in the city.
The clearance has been given on the condition that mangroves destroyed for the project would be replanted, and assurances given to fishermen would be honoured. Dredging and reclamation have been disallowed for the project and the Bombay High Court would have to give its approval before the project could begin. Further, dredging and reclamation cannot be done for the project while all construction equipment used for the project have to be fitted with exhaust silencers. MSRDC (Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation) is the nodal agency for the project which will have four lanes in each direction and is estimated to cost ?4045 crore. MSRDC has prepared an environment management plan and disaster management plan for the project. The total project will be 9.5 km long and a 390-metre stretch will be built on stilts at the Versova end to avoid damage to the mangroves.
