Over 22 Acres Of Sensitive Zone In Sanjay Gandhi National Park To Be Cleared For Borivali-Thane Tunnel; Activists Protest

Thane: Part of the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Mira Road is designated for a 22.6-acre casting yard for the Borivli-Thane twin tunnel project, leading to demonstrations from activists.

A casting yard is a location where concrete components such as segments, parapets, and beams for an infrastructure project are produced and is situated to facilitate convenient access from the project site. Out of the 22.6-acre site for the tunnel project's casting yard, 5 acres lie within the ESZ.

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Activist Stalin D from NGO Vanashakti mentioned in a discussion with TOI that the ESZ notification prohibits polluting industries in the area, and any breaches will encounter legal action. He stressed that the forest department and Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation need to adhere to the law, since the region is swiftly deteriorating because of construction activities that endanger the national park's natural scenery.

The MMRDA, managing the project through contractor Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Ltd., failed to address the inquiries. Local advocates pointed out that tribal territory is part of the casting yard site, and Uttam Naik, a community representative, expressed worries regarding the ecological damage and heightened pollution caused by heavy equipment.

The national green tribunal ordered the shutdown of two casting yards and ready-mix cement plants last week, which were operating within the ESZ limits of SGNP at Thane's Ghodbunder Road.

Upon opening, the tunnels will reduce a Thane-Borivli journey by 12km, cutting down travel time by up to 1 hour, and will offer direct access, greatly easing congestion on Ghodbunder Road and Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road.