Expert panel lays fresh conditions for Mumbai Trans Harbour Link project

MMRDA assures strict implementation of Rs 335-crore worth environment management plan during construction

The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF)’s experts’ appraisal committee (EAC) has laid down stringent conditions while referring the Rs 11,500-crore Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) project to the ministry for approval.

The 22-km project is a road link meant to ease congestion and reduce pollution in the city. The Maharashtra government plans to issue a tender in March and complete the crucial link by 2019. Japan International Cooperation Agency has agreed to provide 80 per cent of the loan for MTHL, which would be developed on cash-contract basis.

The EAC has asked the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to strictly implement a Rs 335-crore environment management plan comprising 15 components including environment monitoring during construction, compensatory mangrove restoration, installation of noise barriers, and mitigation of marine water.

MMRDA assured EAC that funding would not be a constraint for any mitigation measures proposed by the Bombay Natural History Society as environment issues would be given top priority.

EAC said the project implementation should be carried out in accordance with the provisions of CRZ Notification, 2011 without affecting the coastal ecology of the area including flora and fauna. This apart, MMRDA has been asked to obtain all permissions from the authorities concerned prior to commencement of the project and observe all safety requirements onshore and offshore.

It would be binding on MMRDA to compensate the loss of mangroves by plantation of five times the mangroves destroyed during construction.

An MMRDA official told Business Standard: “EAC’s conditions will be fully met. Construction of the ambitious MTHL project will be carried out by adhering to stipulated norms and CRZ notification 2011.”

To monitor the quality of sea water in the area, the state's pollution control board is expected to do online monitoring of the area during construction period. MMRDA would submit regular environmental monitoring reports on a quarterly basis.

Besides, MMRDA would install noise barriers along 9 km (4.5 km on both sides of the sea link) abutting mud-flats where flamingos gather. Prefab structures will be used for the construction of the sea link.