28 July,2011 07:22 AM IST | | Ranjeet Jadhav
MSRDC says no more meetings are needed for the project after the July 18 meeting ended in a free-for-all, but commissioner and residents ask for another one
The controversy thwarting the construction of the Peddar Road flyover has been on simmer for several years, but now there is a disagreement over whether to even conduct another public hearing to address the concerns of residents opposing the project.
Supporters of the Peddar Road flyover created a ruckus
and disrupted the public meeting on July 18
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) claims any more of such meetings are superfluous.
But the city collector deems organising another one is essential, considering especially how inconclusive and unruly the last one was.
Bipin Shrimali, vice chairman and managing director of MSRDC, had emphasised, after the last such hearing at Haji Ali on July 18 faced disruption, that no more public consultations would be held for the 4.3-km long flyover.
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The development body plans to send a report on the minutes of the meeting to the Ministry of Environment and Forests. And once, and if, a nod is received, they will commence work on the much-delayed project.
But the hearing was an off-centre affair, with Peddar Road residents interrupting the presentation by MSRDC officials frequently and noisily. Despite Collector Chandrashekar Oak's requests to maintain calm so their issues may be patiently heard, pandemonium reigned.
The public hearings are conducted as per the directions of the MoEF, so the grievances of residents maybe addressed. The first of these was held in March 2008, and the situation was as chaotic, with protesting residents shouting slogans.
Speaking to MiD DAY, an MSRDC official, on condition of anonymity, said, "The collector feels the meeting was adjourned which means there is need to organise another one."
Peddar Road residents concur with the collector in demanding another round of discussions, after the fiasco that was the July 18 meeting with which MSRDC wants to lid the discourse.
However, the date and venue are yet to be decided, as MSRDC and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board also need to be consulted before any decision is taken.
Long-standing
According to the plan, the 4.3-km flyover, stretching from LL Marg at Haji Ali to Marine Drive near GB Pant Marg was proposed so the commuting woes on this important stretch end.
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At present the route remains congested at the best of times. During rush hours, residents say it is intolerable.
