Automated Translation:
Landfill for coastal road filling is dangerous

Fear of water entering Koliwadas

News Service Mumbai, 19th : Koliwadas are mainly located on the seashore to facilitate fishing. However, the dumping of fill into the sea for the proposed coastal road is likely to threaten the existence of these colonies. Experts are of the opinion that even though this filling will be done on the fishing line, the sea water will flow into Koliwada.

The 12 km coastal road from Nariman Point to Kandivali will be constructed by filling the sea and bay. This filling is to be done mainly in the sea at Marine Drive, Priyadarshini Park to Mahalakshmi, in the sea at Worli seaface; and in the creek between Versova to Kandivali.

Singapore as a country was built by filling 30% of the sea. International experts will be appointed during the coastal road filling. The hiring prerequisite is that they should have experience in reclaiming seas in at least two countries. - Ajoy Mehta, Commissioner, Mumbai Municipality

...filling is dangerous

- From page 9

Bridges are proposed to be constructed at some places to avoid disturbance of fishing during this route. However, experts say that the levy for the coastal road could kill Juhu Mora village, Juhu Tara village, Khardanda, Chimbai village in Bandra and Badhwar Park Koliwada at Nariman Point.

Has the Municipal Corporation done at least one job properly so far? Due to the pillars built for the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Dadar's beach is as good as a thing of the past. For the first time in 300 years, the waves have hit Mahim's fort and made cracks in the walls. If erecting a pillar can have such an effect, what could happen when the filling is done should be seriously considered. - Debi Goenka, Environmentalist

After filling in the sea, water will seep in wherever it finds its way, especially in mangroves. If the tidal water is even slightly blocked, the mangroves die - this should be considered. - Sagar Kulkarni, marine biologist.