Saturday’s protest MLA Rahul Narwekar present, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant present, Colaba jetty site | File Photo
Mumbai: The Clean and Heritage Colaba Residents Association (CHCRA),which has been vehemently protesting against the construction of a jetty near the Gate way of India, has now sent a notice to the state archelogical department saying that a renewed No Objection Certificate (NOC) cannot be granted in view of change in plans and residents opposition to the project.
“The NOC granted by the archeological department has expired on April 5. Also the plans based on which the NOC was granted has changed and even Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has asked for fresh plans,” Advocate Prerak Choudhary who represents the CHCRA said. He added that the residents raising objections against the project should be given proper hearing.
On April 5, more than 300 residents from south Mumbai participated in the protest meet led by CHCRA. Local MLA and state assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar, local MP from Shiv Sena (UBT) Arvind Sawant and Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi also joined the residents protest.
Ports and Fisheries minister Nitesh Rane had performed the ground breaking ceremony of the project in March, just a week after Deputy CM Ajit Pawar sanctioned Rs 229 crores for the jetty and terminal. The jetty which planned at Apollo Bunder, between the Gateway of India and Radio Club, is been opposed by the residents citing traffic congestion, damage of the heritage area and other issues.
The jetty is planned to be used only for the VIPs. The residents demand shifting the jetty to Princess Dock.
Speaking with The Free Press Journal, Sawant said, “At first place, when MLA Narwekar had promised before the elections that he will not allow the jetty to come up at Colaba, how did the BJP-led government sanctioned the project? Why are they in hurry to start the work when residents have been raising their objections?”
After a meeting with the residents last month, minister Rame ordered to halt the work till residents queries are answered. The next meeting is scheduled on April 10 and residents are yet to recieve the copies of approval documents for the project.
“If we do not receive all the approval documents, we are prepared to file a public interest litigation in the Bombay High Court,” Advocate Choudhary said.
The CHCRA has demanded as much as 27 documents related to the project. The official letter sent to Maharashtra Maritime Board and minister Nitesh Rane on April 7 says, when advocate Choudhary went to collect documents at the Maritime Board’s office, a mathematical study, some NOCs from Heritage Department, MCZMA and Western Naval Command were provided, which are already available. The letter requests to provide the list of documents before April 10 meeting.
BJP leader Makarand Narwekar said, “It can be difficult to provide 27 documents in short period. If the residents questions are not satisfactory answered, a extension in Stop Work can be requested.”
