Maharashtra govt mulls cutting Ulhas flood line, environmentalists say no!

Passengers had to be rescued from Mahalaxmi Express, which was stuck due to floods, in Badlapur on July 27, 2019. File Pic/PTI

In a bad news for nature and wildlife lovers, the state government is considering a proposal to cut the flood line of Ulhas river in Badlapur even as environmentalists have been campaigning for the restoration of River Regulation Zone (RRZ) as a flood mitigation measure.

Responding to a Right to Information (RTI) query, the Urban Development Department informed NGO NatConnect Foundation that a proposal has been made at a meeting chaired by minister Eknath Shinde on October 5 to reduce Ulhas river's flood line. However, it stated that the details will be provided only after the proposal is approved. NatConnect Foundation Director B N Kumar said he sought details of the minister's suggestion as they "are seriously concerned over the recurring floods in Ulhas river".

The NGO, in a press release, said that the move, apparently to facilitate construction along the river banks, is contrary to the Environment Department's Mumbai Climate Action Plan (MCAP), which has been formulated in view of global scientists' cautions about the rising sea levels. Referring to this, Kumar said, "Will the river levels remain static if the sea levels rise?" Opposing the move, NatConnect has requested Chief Minister UDdhav Thackeray to restore RRZ to avoid future disasters. The RRZ is meant to allow open areas to accommodate flood water flow as water finds its own course if its natural course is obstructed.

Nandakumar Pawar, head of Shri Ekvira Aai Pratishthan, said that not much space is left along the river banks after the scrapping of the RRZ and mushrooming of buildings. He also cited that around two years ago, about 1,000 passengers were stranded when Mahalaxmi Express got stuck on the flooded tracks near Badlapur and the NDRF had to be deployed to save the people. Environmentalists expressed dismay that the state government has failed to learn from the recent experiences in Konkan and Uttarakhand where interference with river flow has caused havoc.

Oct 5
Day when the proposal was tabled