BMC says 95 hectares to be reclaimed, locals fume

Mumbai: The tug of war between South Mumbai residents and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over the reclamation of land for Coastal Road continues. After the BMC issued a statement recently that the group ‘Save Our Coast’ was spreading rumours that only 10 hectares would be an open space, the civic body on Saturday came up with an official reply to citizens’ emails where it clearly mentions that 95.25 hectares of land would be reclaimed. This has now created more confusion and anger among residents and activists as the BMC, since the inception of the project, has been stating that 90 hectares would be reclaimed.

“The BMC has changed its calculations. From where did the additional five hectares come? This shows the BMC itself was giving false information to the citizens. The officers themselves are not clear about project details. According to the details given to the ministry of environment and forest in 2017, 90 hectares of land are to be reclaimed of which 20 hectares will be road and three hectares median (central divider). But the now the official reply to citizens says 95 hectares of land is to be reclaimed, 25 hectares road and five hectares median,” said activist Zoru Bathena.

However, Chief Of Coastal Road project, Mohan Machiwal told The Asian Age, “It was never 90 hectares. It was around 90 hectares, which means it could be a little more or less. It is a big project. After the final project design is ready, the total land to be reclaimed is 95 hectares. Open space continues to remain 70 hectares,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday will hear the special petition filed by the BMC to lift the stay on the project work.