Builder gets more time to restore mangroves

The Supreme Court on Friday granted a month’s extension to Kandivli-based Ravi builders to restore the Dahisar mangroves.

The Supreme Court on Friday granted a month’s extension to Kandivli-based Ravi builders to restore the Dahisar mangroves.

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The extension comes after the 60-day period set by the apex court to restore the mangroves lapsed on Thursday. The SC had asked the builder to clear the debris and break bunds to allow the flow of seawater into the 430-acre Dahisar mangroves adjoining the Gorai creek in Borivli. Jayesh Shah, the builder, filed an appeal in the SC on March 29.

“The builder got an extension on Friday. So, he will continue with the excavation work,” said Nirmal Deshmukh, suburban collector.

In his appeal to the SC, the builder asked to court to direct the collector to provide the dimensions of the bund prior to January 2010; that he be given permission to construct the culverts and drains upon the bund to regulate seawater flow. Shah has also sought permission to construct sluice gates to regulate the seawater so as to prevent damage to his property.

On Friday, the collector’s office and civic officials took over the destroyed green patch with a fresh set of excavators, earthmovers and workers and started clearing the debris. “But after three hours, we had to stop the work following the orders,” Deshmukh said.

On January 31, ordered the builder to restore the area. This involved opening all blocked culverts for seawater intrusion, demolishing new embankments and removing construction debris from the green patch.