Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari has requested the State government to use material excavated from Metro sites in the city for reclamation projects in South Mumbai.
Mr. Gadkari, who arrived in the city to lay the foundation stone of the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal on Thursday, said 300 acres of land could be reclaimed at Cuffe Parade to set up a garden on the lines of Central Park in New York.
Mr. Gadkari said sand dug up at railway construction sites can be put to good use instead of being disposed of in landfills and used at building sites.
Mr. Gadkari said, “This could be used to reclaim and construct parks and gardens in South Mumbai. We are keen on the Maharashtra government looking at this as an option. This will be a good example of building wealth from waste.”
Mr. Gadkari’s statement is being seen in the light of recent criticism of the government over allegations that construction material from Metro sites inn the city were being dumped without any planning. There have been reports of debris being dumped on the banks of Mithi River and thereby blocking its flow and reducing its width to less than 25mm. The development has raised concerns of a flood-like situation emerging during the monsoons.
Mr. Gadkari’s plan has already been floated by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in its Development Plan for 2034. However, the project has faced opposition from the local fisherfolk who claimed that such projects would affect the livelihood of 20,000 families.
The BMC’s development plan has earmarked land to set up a “Central Park-like garden” around Cuffe Parade by 2034. “We will appoint Mumbai Port Trust as the planning authority for this project,” said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Last year, the BMC invited companies to submit proposals for the project. It has also asked the National Institute of Oceanography to conduct a study on the feasibility of the project.
