After a series of protests by residents at Bandra’s Chimbai village, the State Government has now said that it will “review” the extension of a jetty and the construction of two boatyards in the region. Environmentalists and locals have said that Chimbai Beach was facing dangers from nearby construction projects including the construction of the jetty and the boatyards which were initiated by the State Fisheries Department.
Also read - Traffic Diversion In Mahim From Jan 9 To 13, Bandra To Dadar Road Closed Due To Construction
The Fisheries Department had pitched the construction of “post-harvesting infrastructure facilities for fishing activities” on Chimbai Beach back in 2019. One year later, the department started construction for the boatyards which includes two connecting ramps, two net-mending sheds as well as the extension of the existing jetty.
State Fisheries Minister, Aslam Shaikh said, “Local residents had raised concerns. So I visited the site on Tuesday. We will review the project. I have instructed the fisheries department to call for a joint meeting with local residents and hear them out. It looks like there is no opposition to the jetty but only to the boat platforms. All their concerns will be addressed.”
Read - Bombay High Court Allows Felling Of Trees For Versova–Bandra Sea Link
Separately, an official said that this region falls under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 1B. “We have got clearances from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA). According to the 2019 norms, land reclamation is permitted in CRZ 1B. Work has started,” the official added.
Residents believe that reclamation of the land and the construction may cause flooding in the region. BJP MLA from the region, Ashish Shelar said that the locals are against this project. “The work was proposed by us. But now the villagers are opposing it since there can be water-logging in their homes. All stakeholders are against it. The government must not do anything that is anti-residents and anti-environment,” he said.
Also read - Maha Government Approves New Jetty And Passenger Terminal Near Radio Club
Share
Tweet
