The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has agreed to relocate the Mumbai Eye project.
This decision was made after several demands were raised by Bandra Reclamation residents to set up the project outside the area.
Nearly a month ago, the development authority had floated bids to appoint consultants for the Giant Observation Wheel project to go ahead at Bandra Reclamation. However, now they have modified the tender conditions including that of project site.
The MMRDA has initiated the process of identifying a suitable site for the Mumbai Eye project through a separate consultancy. Moreover, a new location will have to be finalised. This has pushed back the tourism project by at least a few months.
The terms and conditions of the environment clearance by the Ministry of Environment and Forests for the Bandra Worli Sea Link stated that no part of the reclaimed land should be used for residential or commercial purposes. Therefore, having a project of such magnitude was clearly in violation of the clearance that the state had received.
The residents, who have been opposing the project for the past three years, were supported by Bandra MLA Ashish Shelar. Reasons for the protest included traffic jams, visitors will have view of nearby slums, anticipation of a large number of vehicles visiting the Ferris wheel, environmental issues, among others.
According to Shelar, the MMRDA can shift the project to Mumbai Port Trust land on the east coast.
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