Khushi Shah – Mumbai Uncensored, 31st May 2022
Recently on instagram we’ve been seeing the hashtag ‘#saveourcoastmumbai’ being used by many Mumbaikars. The Coastal Road sea link has been a work in progress. We see it when we pass Haji Ali, one of Mumbais biodiversity enriched shores now under concrete. What was a visual treat earlier has now become an eyesore. Bay, rocky shorelines and the habitat of sea organisms waters are now concrete war fields of machines and workers.
In march Maharastras CM Uddhav Thackeray had released Mumbai’s climate action plan [MCAP] which aimed at net zero by 2050 and Indias net zero target is by 2070. However Mumbai’s Coastal Road Project stood at odds since it promotes air pollution with more vehicles on the road and has been known for threatening fishermans lives. An IPCC report also brought to light on how this project was an example of maladaptive infrastructure and could have unintended long term consequences. A highlight was given to the ‘adaptation gap’ between what is needed to be done to protect the most vulnerable communities from the impact of climate change and what is being done or planned.
The Haji Ali group is one of the smallest communities among the Kolis. But they will be among the most affected by the 22-km-long coastal road that is coming up at rapid speed. These fisherfolk filed a petition in the Bombay high court in November 2020, against the land reclamation.The report also suggested that routine monitoring of the sandy beaches and shoreline should be carried out before, during and after the project, to get a comparative picture of the change in the shoreline. The fishermen are threatened. They are expected to keep their boats anchored in the sea and often the anchors have been cut off. Their business is also hampered because of the noise and vibrations of the reclamation that has disturbed the fish because of which they find nothing at the end of the day except some small fish.
The BMC had originally said that since the coastal road would be only on stilts in these parts, fishing activity would not be disturbed. But now they are reclaiming a lot of land and the Lotus Jetty has become inoperable. The assessment, carried out by coastal geomorphologist Sudhakar Thakurdesai at the behest of the Worli Koliwada Nakhava Matsyavyavsay Sahakari Society (WKNMSS), states that the fishers require at least 160 metres under the interchange to ensure safe passage for boats venturing out to the open sea from Cleveland Bunder, a centuries-old artisan fishing port in Worli. In its current design specifications, the BMC has proposed a 60 metres span.
Recently the BMC refused to include the suggestion for design modifications in the project made by fisherfolk and urban architects. This project has been given the highest priority in Mumbai with a provision of 1300 cr, even more than the health budget in mind. Mumbai has made progress on infrastructural interventions but not enough on eco system based solutions and community maintenance.
