Green hurdle to delay monorail’s first phase

The first phase of the proposed 8.26-km monorail corridor between Wadala and Chembur may get further delayed due to a 125-metre stretch of mangroves adjoining the Mahul creek.

The first phase of the proposed 8.26-km monorail corridor between Wadala and Chembur may get further delayed due to a 125-metre stretch of mangroves adjoining the Mahul creek. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will have to get a clearance from the Centre for building a pier in the area.

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The corridor alignment from Wadala to Chembur passes through Anik-Wadala, Anik-Panjrapole link road by crossing over Mahul creek and the mangrove area adjoining the creek near Bhakti Park.

This stretch requires construction of three piers on which the monorail beam will rest. While the state’s coastal authority has given a go-ahead for construction of two piers, the third pier is stuck as it falls in the CRZ-I area, which is a no-development zone.

For building the pier, MMRDA will have to get the Centre’s permission. “We cleared construction of the two piers, which were in the CRZ-II area. The MMRDA will have to seek permission from the Centre for constructing the third pier,’’ said environment secretary Valsa Nair Singh.

To complicate matters, the construction will contravene orders of the Bombay High Court. Also, the state government in 2007 had declared this stretch as protected forestland.

The first corridor of the monorail is to be built from Jacob Circle to Wadala and further to Chembur. This corridor, which is 20-km long, is expected to be operational by 2011 year-end, with the first phase between Wadala and Chembur likely to be complete by May 2011.