Maharashtra government notification reserves Kanjurmarg plot for car depot

The integrated Metro depot site of Metro lines 3 (Colaba-Bandra- SEEPZ), 4 (Kasarwadavali-Wadala) and 6 (Lokhandwala-Vikhroli) at Kanjurmarg. Pic/Ashish Raje

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday issued a notification saying the controversial Kanjurmarg plot has been reserved for the Metro 3 car depot. City-based environmentalists have welcomed the move saying it is a positive decision.

Talking to mid-day, environmentalist Stalin D from NGO Vanashakti said, "It is a prudent and wise decision from all points of view. The need for multiple depots has been eliminated. And the handover or takeover of public lands by powerful builders has been thwarted. It is an example of how projects can be executed with minimum damage. Public sentiment has been respected which is a good sign. The earlier government rubbished people's opinion and bull-dozed the environment.. mercifully we have better times now."

Environmentalist Zoru Bhathena said for five long years the previous state government kept making excuses to not use the Kanjur land for a depot, though it was always available. "It is good to see that the current state government has finally notified the land use for the Metro Depot. Mumbai can now enjoy the travel and cost benefits of a well integrated Metro system. Kudos to this government for doing the right thing," said Bhathena.

What the notification says
The notification from the Urban Development Department says MMRDA has requested the government to reserve land admeasuring 43.76 hectares CTS No. 657A(Part) and CTS 853(Part) of village Kanjur for "Metro Car Depot, allied uses and Commercial." The notification also states that the government of Maharashtra has sanctioned certain excluded part of the Draft Development Plan-2034 of Greater Mumbai included in the Special Planning Authority (SPA) area of MMRDA for the Metro car depot at Kanjur.

The notification adds that as per the Draft Development Plan-2034 of Greater Mumbai, the land bearing CTS No.657A(Part) and CTS No. 853(Part) of village Kanjur has been reserved for various public purposes such as garden/park, affordable housing, rehabilitation and resettlement, homeless shelter, police staff quarters, municipal school, electricity transmission and distribution facility and development plan roads, etc. But, considering the request of MMRDA and Report of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, the government is satisfied that in the public interest it is expedient to change reservations, land use in respect of portion of the plot.

The notification also says it is necessary to obtain permission for CRZ point of view from the concerned authority ie. MCZMA MOEF in respect of land under CRZ and scientific mitigation measures should be taken during contraction and operation of the car depot. The notification also specifies that the operation of the car depot will be binding for compliance of orders of the High Court / Supreme Court in respect of the land.

The date of publication of this notification in the official gazette will be the date of coming into force of this modification. The part plan showing the modification will be kept open for inspection by the general public during office hours on all working days for the period of one month in the office of the Chief Engineer (Development Plan), the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The notification will also be published on the government website www.maharashtrawy.in (Act Rules).