Waterways project awaiting green nod from Centre: Rane
The grand plans to transport commuters from south Mumbai to Borivli and Nerul by sea are still awaiting environmental clearance from the Centre.
The grand plans to transport commuters from south Mumbai to Borivli and Nerul by sea are still awaiting environmental clearance from the Centre.
Ports minister Narayan Rane gave this information in a reply to legislator Vijay Sawant, who asked about the status of the project given that the environment clearance for infrastructure creation had expired.
"The five-year clearance, which was given by the Centre for creation of project infrastructure, expired in September 2011. After the clearance period expired, we have reapplied to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) for an extension. But we have not heard from them as yet," Rane said in his reply.
The project infrastructure for which the clearance is sought includes the terminal building, which will have a waiting lounge, restaurant, security area, and transport control rooms.
"Although we are waiting for the clearance, we have started the project tender process for the eastern waterway transport project. We have invited expression of interest for the terminal at Ferry wharf (Bhaucha Dhakka) for which the Mumbai Port Trust has given an in-principle nod," Rane added.