Won’t stop work till we get court order: BMC

Mumbai: Although the environment activists in the city are rejoicing that the Bombay high court (HC) has given interim stay for any reclamation of the sea for the Coastal Road project, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said they would not stop the work until they get orders in hand with specific instructions.

“The HC has given a stay is incorrect. It’ll be a loss of public money if we stop the work. We will wait until next hearing,” said a senior BMC officer looking at Coastal Road project.

The HC was hearing two petitions challenging the Coastal Road design; one was against reclamation filed by Shweta Wagh representing residents of Worli and another by NGO against the first interchange of the Coastal Road at Breach Candy, which is affecting 200 trees of Tata Garden.

Dr Nilesh Baxi who filed the petition to save Tata Garden said, “We are extremely happy that the court ordered BMC to consider to shift the interchange of Breach Candy to Scandal point from Tata Garden. We believe  justice to the environment will be done and greenery won't be killed. HC also ordered BMC to stop reclamation work till April 23.”

Meanwhile, the residents of South Mumbai tried stopping contractors from carrying any work on site after the court hearing saying that there was a stay. However, a senior BMC officer said, “I have told the contractors to approach police if required as there is no court judgement copy till now which orders work stay.”