The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) project is a massive infrastructural development that will connect Mumbai with Navi Mumbai, its satellite city. The project is aimed at reducing the travel time between the two cities, which are rapidly growing. The MTHL project is expected to have a significant impact on the environment of the region. In this blog post, we will discuss the environmental impact of the MTHL project.
Significant impact on the ecology of the region
The MTHL project is expected to have a significant impact on the ecology of the region. The project will pass through the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) as per the Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMP) of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Out of 22 km length of MTHL, 2.25km of length passes through the CRZ (2.0 km in CRZ I and 0.25km in CRZ II). Since the entire sea link is proposed on a viaduct, only the area occupied by piers/piles will be affected. Compensatory mangrove plantation is also proposed by MMRDA to mitigate the impacts on the mudflats and migratory birds. The construction methodology proposed for the entire operations in mud flats or the intertidal zone would be the use of a temporary steel bridge/jetty parallel to the permanent structure in the Right of Way (ROW) for transportation of men, construction material, precast elements, and machinery, etc. on either end, so as not to disturb eco-sensitive mud flats.
Impact on the hydrodynamics of the region
The MTHL project is expected to have a significant impact on the hydrodynamics of the region. The Central Water & Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune, studied the effect of the proposed Mumbai Trans Harbour Link project on the flow conditions in Mumbai/Jawaharlal Nehru Harbour area from tidal hydrodynamic considerations. The flow pattern and various parameters such as water level, current strength, and tidal flux, i.e., the effect of the MTHL bridge on the flow field at various locations like JNPT, MbPT, Panvel, and Thane creek were studied by CWPRS. The CWPRS submitted their report in March 2014 with recommendations that there will not be an adverse impact on overall tidal hydrodynamics of the region due to the project under consideration. The report says that by inclusion of MTHL Bridge, the overall change in hydrodynamics is negligible. There is insignificant effect on the facilities in Mumbai and JN Port area.
Impact on the flora and fauna of the region.
The MTHL project is expected to have a significant impact on the flora and fauna of the region. Environmentalists fear that this project will disturb the resting ground of flamingos and other migratory birds, which are found in the area where the proposed MTHL will start. The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has asked the authority to shift the starting point of the MTHL around 700 meters south of its current position. “This will help save the mudflats and flamingos. This will achieve the goal of saving the mangroves for conservation and development together,” says Asad R Rahmani, director of non-profit, Bombay Natural History Society. The entire population of flamingos will vanish if the link is constructed from its current location as it will pass right through the mudflats where thousands of flamingos come to feed every year .
Significant amount of dust and noise pollution
The MTHL project is expected to have a significant impact on the air quality of the region. The project will generate a significant amount of dust and noise pollution during the construction phase. The MMRDA has put up noise barriers, replanted five times the number of mangroves destroyed, not carried out dredging or reclamation, used construction equipment with exhaust silencers, and worked in consultation with the Bombay Natural History Society to minimize the impact on migratory birds.
It will connect Mumbai with Navi Mumbai, its satellite city. The project is aimed at reducing the travel time between the two cities, which are rapidly growing. The MTHL project is expected to have a significant impact on the environment of the region. The project will pass through the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) as per the Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMP) of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The MTHL project is expected to have a significant impact on the ecology of the region. The MTHL project is expected to have a significant impact on the hydrodynamics of the region. The MTHL project is expected to have a significant impact on the flora and fauna of the region. The MTHL project is expected to have a significant impact on the air quality of the region.