Mumbai: Touted to solve the traffic problems in the city, the Coastal Road Project has raised several controversies. Besides fears of fishermen’s community losing livelihood, there is a concern that the project might affect the sensitive coastal eco-system. “Due to this project, the sea water level is increasing day by day and it will affect the life of the people who are living nearby this area,” said Nitesh Patil, a fisherman.
Due to land reclamation, this Rs 12,000 crore project will cause environmental degradation and also affect the quality of life of the citizens of Mumbai. Amita Banerjee, an environmentalist, said, “The Coastal Road Project is going to be not only disastrous for environment but also for the landscape of the Mumbai city. The government needs to invest in a public transport system that can be used by people from all walks of life instead of wasting taxpayers money on projects like the coastal road.”
Another fisherman, Rupesh Wadkar said, “They are reclaiming the area in the name of the coastal road and once it will finish, they will handover this to private companies. This coastal road project will finish all the fishes and craps from the sea and it will also finish the fishing community from this place.”
Amit Pareek
