In a meeting conducted on June 10, the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) provided the clearance for a portion of the Virar-Alibaug multi-modal corridor project.
“We have got clearance for the 18-km section from Chirner to Balavali, which is spread over Uran and Pen talukas. The second section of 80 kilometres will be screened by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and later by the MCZMA,” said Vijay Waghmare who is the Joint Managing Director of Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).
This project was originally managed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) since its inception in 2008 but was later handed over to the MSRDC. Hearings have been conducted on this portion of the project for nearly four years now since 681 mangroves on the location are expected to be impacted.
Read - MCZMA Asks Authorities To Reconsider The 126 Km Virar-Alibaug Corridor As It May Impact Mangroves
When completed, this section of the project will establish connectivity between the Sewree Nhava Trans Harbour Link, National Highway 4B, National Highway 17 (Mumbai-Goa Highway), and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
The section will also have five major and three minor bridges, along with a road overbridge, an 835-metre tunnel, two overpasses, three vehicular underpasses, six flyovers, and 550 metres of elevated road. Officials said that this project will cover regions like Dighode, Vindhane, Dhakti Jui, Karpoli, Kalambusare, Kelvane, Rave, Kopar, Govirale and Balavali with amenities like metro services, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, and an access-controlled highway.
While clearing out the mangroves during the course of the project, the MSRDC has to make sure it replaces them with more plants/trees to compensate for the loss. The MCZMA has also directed the MSRDC to ensure that the construction activities do not impact the local fisherfolk.
Officials said that this corridor will generate employment in seven growth centres of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) including Virar, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Dombivali, Uran, Taloja, and Panvel. A top bureaucrat added that this corridor would cut the travel time between Virar and Alibaug by 50 per cent.
Also read - MMRDA Announces Cutting Of Mangroves In Wadala For A Metro Station
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