Virar-Alibaug corridor will not pass through SGNP

MUMBAI: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has planned to reroute the multi-modal Virar-Alibaug corridor in a bid to avoid the elevated 2km stretch that was supposed to pass through Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The state wildlife board advised the MMRDA to think of other options.

The 126km-long corridor will have a 4km-long tunnel connecting Borivali and Thane. While the state wildlife board gave its nod to start the survey to check feasibility of the plan, around two weeks ago, a special committee of the wildlife board inspected the alignment and suggested that MMRDA find an alternative route.

 Sanjay Khandare, additional metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA, said, “We are analysing the alternative routes for the elevated part since the committee has suggested that the MMRDA do that. We are studying two to three alignment routes outside of SGNP. Nothing has been finalised yet ”

 Anish Andheria, member of the wildlife board, told The Asian Age, “We surveyed the site and recommended to MMRDA to explore other alignment options.  Many projects like the bullet train will be passing through SGNP, so it will be easier for them, as well. The options will be compared to the current alignment, costs will be evaluated, and then, the final decision will be taken.”

 The project will run parallel to SGNP and the authority has sought 14.8 hectares of land from the national park. The proposal was deferred by the wildlife board in February this year due to staunch opposition from environmentalists.