Simulation before reclamation is a must as sea levels are rising: Expert report
Clara Lewis | TNN | Jan 2, 2016, 11.14 PM ISTWhile the initial reclamation exercise to form the island city did not have any noticeable adverse impact, climate change and rising sea levels necessitate that reclamation is done after proper scientific studies.
Rising sea levels do not portend good news for the city as it is low-lying. The sea level is rising by 0.4mm per year. A rise of every metre in the sea level will result in more built-up areas (land which is constructed upon) being submerged. Parts of north-west Mumbai such as Versova and Malad are more susceptible, as the western coast is directly exposed to Arabian sea unlike the eastern coast, which is sheltered, says the report. Currents keep beating against the western coast, making it vulnerable to erosion.
This is perhaps the first-ever scientific study on the impact of reclamation, undertaken for the city. It was commissioned by Mumbai Transformation Support Unit last year.
MTSU head B Khatua said the report recommends that construction of the coastal road be undertaken only after carrying out simulation exercises of the current, the flow and the waves to understand the impact of reclamation on the coast or elsewhere. "The study further recommends that reclamation be in a straight line or with a smooth and gentle curve. Reclamation in a zig-zag manner will change the direction of the current pattern and impact the coast in other areas," he said. The recommendations have already been conveyed to the BMC that is executing the project, said Khatua.
Tracing the impact of reclamation right from the time the seven islands were brought together to form the island city, the report states the initial reclamation involved filling intervening spaces between rocky areas and did not have a significant impact. The second reclamation at Backbay, Nariman Point, in 1960s, involved linear reclamation, in the direction of the current and waves, and did not involve projections into the sea. Its impact was minimal.
The NIO then studied the construction of the Bandra-Worli sea link and its impact on the neighbourhood coast. Work on the bridge was taken up in early 2000. The northern side, which is the Bandra exit of the sea link projects out into the sea. This projection created for entry and exit of vehicles has resulted in changing the direction of the current pattern from a straight line to a curvature, states the report.
"When sea water recedes, it has a very high acceleration. The change in direction on account of the projection has resulted in the current first moving southwards and then northwards. In the process, it carries away soil and sand, resulting in the erosion of the Dadar and Mahim beach," states the report. Subsequently, undersea bunds were erected to break the speed of the current. Khatua said construction of the sea link and its impact underlines the need for simulation and scientific reclamation.
Reclamation must take into consideration rising sea levels, said Khatua. The report states a one-metre rise in level will submerge 57.2 square kilometres, of which more than 50% will be mangroves and mudflats in Mira Road and Bhayandar and 16%, that is 9.5 sq km, will be built-up area. If the sea level were to rise two metres, then 91.7 sq km will be submerged, of which 18% or 16.15 sq km will be built-up area.
Khatua said the recent erratic monsoon was an indicator of climate change. "Policy-makers must understand geo-physics as they sanction development. Governments must learn to work with nature." While coastal road has got coastal regulation zone clearance, activists are strongly opposed to it.
comment:-why cancelled sea link?? BANDRA to VERSOVA?
WHY RECLAIM MORE LAND FROM SEA TO MAKE A ROAD???
BOMBAY BEFORE RECLAMATION
BOMBAY AFTER RECLAMATION
WHY RECLAIM MORE LAND FROM SEA TO MAKE A ROAD???
WHO BENEFITS?
LAND SHARKS MAKE PROFIT OF RECLAMATION
THE EXIT ROADS FROM SEA LINK WILL GET CROWDED WITH TRAFFIC JAM
Residents join hands to oppose coastal road - WorldNews
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Residents stage a protest against the proposed coastal road on Juhu beach on August 30
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Coastal road will ruin it all
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The union is also going to write a letter to the BMC to make the DPR document available in Marathi.
The fishermen community, one of the oldest communities in the city,
has demanded protection for their livelihood, stating that the proposed
coastal road would endanger their traditional occupation. The
Maharashtra Machimaar Union has organised a meeting of the entire
fishing community on July 11 to set their future road map.
According to the Union, the large scale reclamation undertaken for the project would restrict their activities as it will threaten the breeding grounds for fish. Rajesh Mangela, resource person from the Union said, “We have seen earlier examples of reclamation in Mumbai where our livelihoods were severely affected. The Maharashtra government never compensated us for the losses though we are entitled to it. We are not against development but we need a strong alternative plan assuring us that the community will not suffer because of the project.”
Around 11.61 km (roughly 33 per cent) of the entire 35-km long freeway, connecting South Mumbai to the western side, will be on reclaimed land, the draft Detailed project report (DPR) suggests. The DPR was uploaded by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) last week inviting suggestions and objection from citizens in the next one month, till July 27.
According to the DPR, the proposed coastal road indicates the
presence of several fishing villages along its alignment including the
Manora fishing village, Khar Danda, Juhu Mora gaon, Versove gaon and the
Chimbai village. In all, there are 38 koliwadas in the city.
Kiran Koli, chairperson of the Union said, “The Worli Sea-link reclamation led to private enterprises occupying the area. The Versova portion of the coastal road witnesses a huge fishing activity, there are close to 750 fishing boats in the vicinity and more than 15,000 kolis, who will assure us of sustained livelihood?”
A senior civic official from BMC said, “We have made the document public to receive suggestions from people. If the community needs any clarification, then they can issue an objection letter to the department which will be reviewed.”
The union is also going to write a letter to the BMC to make the DPR document available in Marathi. The current document runs into more than 6,000 pages.
COMMENT:
PEOPLE WILL USE METRO 3 FROM COLABA TO ANDHERI
AND CONNECTING METRO FROM ANDHERI TO KANDIVLI
COASTAL ROAD MAY NOT BE USED MUCH FOR DAILY COMMUTE
COASTAL ROAD WILL BE A WASTE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS
GOVERNMENT MAY LOSE VOTES FROM COASTAL FISHERMEN
ONLY LAND SHARKS WILL BE HAPPY FOR EXTRA LAND FROM SEA
Fishermen oppose BMC’s coastal road project, say it would affect their trade
The Maharashtra Machimaar Union has called for a meeting on July 11.
The union is also going to write a letter to the BMC to make the DPR document available in Marathi.
The fishermen community, one of the oldest communities in the city,
has demanded protection for their livelihood, stating that the proposed
coastal road would endanger their traditional occupation. The
Maharashtra Machimaar Union has organised a meeting of the entire
fishing community on July 11 to set their future road map.According to the Union, the large scale reclamation undertaken for the project would restrict their activities as it will threaten the breeding grounds for fish. Rajesh Mangela, resource person from the Union said, “We have seen earlier examples of reclamation in Mumbai where our livelihoods were severely affected. The Maharashtra government never compensated us for the losses though we are entitled to it. We are not against development but we need a strong alternative plan assuring us that the community will not suffer because of the project.”
Around 11.61 km (roughly 33 per cent) of the entire 35-km long freeway, connecting South Mumbai to the western side, will be on reclaimed land, the draft Detailed project report (DPR) suggests. The DPR was uploaded by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) last week inviting suggestions and objection from citizens in the next one month, till July 27.
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Kiran Koli, chairperson of the Union said, “The Worli Sea-link reclamation led to private enterprises occupying the area. The Versova portion of the coastal road witnesses a huge fishing activity, there are close to 750 fishing boats in the vicinity and more than 15,000 kolis, who will assure us of sustained livelihood?”
A senior civic official from BMC said, “We have made the document public to receive suggestions from people. If the community needs any clarification, then they can issue an objection letter to the department which will be reviewed.”
The union is also going to write a letter to the BMC to make the DPR document available in Marathi. The current document runs into more than 6,000 pages.
COMMENT:
PEOPLE WILL USE METRO 3 FROM COLABA TO ANDHERI
AND CONNECTING METRO FROM ANDHERI TO KANDIVLI
COASTAL ROAD MAY NOT BE USED MUCH FOR DAILY COMMUTE
COASTAL ROAD WILL BE A WASTE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS
GOVERNMENT MAY LOSE VOTES FROM COASTAL FISHERMEN
ONLY LAND SHARKS WILL BE HAPPY FOR EXTRA LAND FROM SEA
