MMRDA awaits green nod for car depot plots

The “stringent” conditions set by the MoEF were discussed at a meeting held in New Delhi on July 13. A condition stipulated by MoEF’s committee states that no washing,cleaning or any maintenance work should be carried out in the CRZ-I area of the car depot. This point was particularly discussed in the meeting. “We have explained our stand to the MoEF on the conditions of washing,etc. We have told them that cleaning would be channelised through an effulent treatment plant (ETP) and not a single drop of water,oil or any pollutant will go down,” said Rahul Asthana,Metropolitan Commissioner,MMRDA.

SVR Srinivas,Additional Metropolitan Commissioner-I,who was heading the MMRDA’s delegation at the meeting,said the ministry was quite positive to the points made by MMRDA. “We got an opportunity from MoEF to put forward our case. This itself is a positive move. We are now hopeful of securing the clearances soon,” Srinivas said.

Meanwhile,the construction on the 32-km corridor has not begun as the concessionaire is yet to get a casting yard from the MMRDA,the nodal agency of the project.

The MMRDA officials added they are in talks with the Central PWD to procure land on lease at Charkop,which will be handed over for casting of the girders.

The concessionaire led by Reliance Infrastructure Ltd is also anticipating cost escalation as the car depot will have to be constructed on stilts to save the mangroves.