New CRZ map will hurt infra projects : Maha to Centre
The planning authority of Navi Mumbai, City and Industrial development Corporation (Cidco), is trying to work towards convincing the government’s environment ministry to make a special case for the city so that new coastal regulation zone (CRZ) lines are not drawn.
The planning authority of Navi Mumbai, City and Industrial development Corporation (Cidco), is trying to work towards convincing the government’s environment ministry to make a special case for the city so that new coastal regulation zone (CRZ) lines are not drawn.
The nodal agency will also request the central government to reconsider the 1996 approved coastal zone management plan that was drawn up for Mumbai.
According to Cidco officials, approximately 1,240 hectares of saleable land is falling under CRZ-I, which is a no-development zone.
This is likely to lead to losses to the tune of Rs35,000 crore since the new satellite images show that the new hightide line (HTL) drawn has moved almost one kilometre into the land, causing a change in environmentally sensitive zones.
The two main reasons that will be given to the central gover nment are the loss of sale proceeds from developed land, which is currently channelised for other infrastructure projects, and a loss of land, which will affect the resettlement of project-affected people in the Navi Mumbai airport project.
Cidco will also argue that the loss of land, which is otherwise saleable, undermines the survival prospects of the new town.
“Apart from the 1,240 hectares where no development will be allowed, there are other zones such as CRZ-II where it takes up to two years to get approval. At this rate, the city’s development will be hit,” said Sanjay Bhatia Cidco’s managing director on Tuesday.
Another Cidco official, on the condition of anonymity, said “The Navi Mumbai coast was first lined up by artificial bunds and then holding ponds were created to help both rain water and sea water get channelised into the sea. Unfortunately, the bunds and gates have been broken by fishermen and the areas now have saline water and even see mangrove growth. This is what caused the problem and we will explain this to the central government.”