Coastal road project: petitioners file affidavit in HC.

The petitioners opposing the coastal road project filed an affidavit in the Bombay High Court recently, pointing out that reclamation work was under way despite the court issuing a stay order on April 11.

The petitioners attached pictures with the affidavit to show “untouched inter-tidal areas, with debris dumped on them, surfaces pulverized with the use of machines and stone bunds that continue to be built to further enclose the areas”.

The affidavit was filed by Shweta Wagh, a member of the Collective for Spatial Alternatives, who has alleged that in the last three days there has been unprecedented pace of reclamation and work continues in new points at Napean Sea Road, Worli, Breach Candy and Tata Gardens.

The affidavit states, “The extensive reclamation work is being undertaken in the areas at the land abutting the connector to the Sea Link which is not provided at the detail project report.” The petitioner urges the court to stop the contractors from undertaking more work, make arrangements for a joint inspection of the land and to curb the expansion of the promenade at Worli. The matter will be heard by a Division Bench headed by the Chief Justice on April 16.

The court is also hearing petitions filed by the Koliwad Nakhawa Fisheries Cooperative Society Limited and Worli Machhimar Sarvoday Co-operative Society, who are also aggrieved by the project as it is affecting their livelihood.

On April 13, Ms. Wagh, along with members of the Koli community, had recced the intertidal area at Worli to check if the HC order was being complied with.

THE HINDU