MRVC seeks Centre nod for clearance of forest in Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Palghar districts for 5th, 6th lines between Borivli and Virar
Commuters at Borivli station. The proposed fifth and sixth lines would help deal with overcrowding. File pic
The two new upcoming lines between Borivli and Virar stations would bring great relief to the commuters, but they have brought bad news for the nature lovers. Over 12.7 hectare of forest cover in Mumbai Suburban, Thane and Palghar districts will have to make way for the project. The fifth and sixth lines are being constructed by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) Ltd. The MRVC has submitted to the Union environment ministry a proposal, seeking permission for clearance of the forest area. The proposed lines would meet the demands of ever-growing passenger traffic and decongest the route, said officials. They would help deal with overcrowding in locals, increase frequency of trains, reduce time travel and the number of accidents. The alignment will be a 26-km broad gauge line.
ADVERTISEMENT
"A part of the proposed fifth and sixth lines of the existing Borivli-Virar broad gauge line passes through the forest land in the mangrove and marshy terrain. Considering the type of terrain, the availability of land and techno-economic feasibility of the project, the new broad gauge line is inevitably required to be laid parallel to the existing one. The proposal is essentially site specific. The MRVC has no other alternative. The forest land proposed for diversion is about 12.7808 hectares, which is unavoidable and bare minimum. Hence the project is located in forest land," MRVC assistant engineer H N Yadav states in his letter to the Union environment ministry while justifying the project. According to the proposal, 3.6879 ha of forest from Mumbai Suburban, 1.4274 ha from Thane and 7.6655 ha from Palghar district will have to be diverted. The project, which will be implemented at a cost of Rs 21.84 crore, will also require 8.543 ha of non-forest land.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
