Metro-4 faces opposition from environmentalists for its Casting Yard project

In order to turn transport between Mumbai and Thane, a matter of minutes, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had put forward the idea of the Metro-4 project, i.e. Wadala-Ghatkopar-Thane-Kasarvadavali. While MMRDA is all set to begin the construction work, the project seems to have landed in controversy before its inception. An environmentalist from Thane has opposed the Metro-4 casting yard as they have claimed that the project violates the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)-1 Area regulations.

Environmentalist Rohit Joshi had placed a complaint to the Tahsildar against MMRDA for constructing the casting yard by violating CRZ-1 Area regulations and has stated that if need be, he’ll approach Bombay High Court.

A casting yard is a place where MMRDA plans to keep all the required materials for the construction of the Metro-4 project and initially, MMRDA had taken two places in consideration for the casting yard. However, the places did not get finalised and eventually, MMRDA finalised a 15-acre land in Kavesar. But since the area is a mangrove area, the complainant claims that MMRDA has slaughtered the trees and destroyed the mangroves to construct the casting yard. Alongside, he further states that they have violated the CRZ regulations. 

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Earlier, a builder was booked for violating the CRZ regulations and accordingly, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) had forbidden construction work as the area was a mangrove and fell under the CRZ regulated zone.  

Joshi said that despite TMC’s orders, MMRDA and contractors have put up steel nets and are conducting the construction work. He demanded that the ongoing work should be immediately halted and the place for the casting yard must also be changed.

Joshi has demanded strict action against the contractor as well MMRDA as they have violated several regulations. Earlier, High Court had made it clear that protecting the mangroves is crucial and had accordingly, ordered the state government for conserving the natural resources. Thus, Joshi stated that the construction work is a direct violation of the court’s orders as the work began after the court’s decision.

Metro-2B and Metro-3 projects are already facing a lot of criticism and flak which has resulted in a delay of these projects. If the Metro-4 project lands into similar trouble, then the citizens will have to wait for the transport project.