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18/01/2011 by navanavonmilita
Built on a house of cards
Hindustan Times
January 17, 2011
First Published: 22:57 IST(17/1/2011)
Last Updated: 00:41 IST(18/1/2011)
1 Comment
You win some, you lose some. This seems to be environment and forests
minister Jairam Ramesh’s mantra. A week after he was criticised by the
green lobby and the fishers’ community for not incorporating their
views in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011, Mr
Ramesh’s verdict against
the Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society might have a soothing effect.
In a strongly-worded directive, Mr Ramesh said that the 31-storey
Adarsh must be demolished within three months and the area should be
restored to its “original condition”. The society had flouted the CRZ
Notification, 1991. Though this notification has now been replaced by
the 2011 rules, the case will face charges according to the 1991
rules.
The CRZ rules govern the country’s 7,000-long coastline. From 1991,
there have been more than 25 amendments to the 1991 law thanks to the
pressure from builders and politicians, especially in places like
Mumbai where the demand for housing outstrips supply. In places like
Goa, the pressure comes from the tourism lobby.
It is important to have strong laws protecting the coastal areas
because, first, the ecologically sensitive zones work as buffers for
coastal cities against natural calamities and, second, they can ensure
that those who depend on the seas for their livelihood are not washed
away in this race to provide housing and entertainment for the haves.
Along with grabbing the no-go areas, builders often flout the Floor
Space Index norm, which is the ratio between the built-up and the plot
area. By breaking them, as has been the case with Adarsh, more flats
are built and sold for huge profits.
The now 31-storey building was originally planned as a six-storey
housing project. But despite allegations, the state government had
refused to move against it suggesting that links exist among
politicians, bureaucrats and the violators (builders). Many are hoping
that the Adarsh order will set the stage for the demolition of 13
other projects under construction in Parel and Lower Parel in Mumbai.
Though the minister has acknowledged that the Adarsh order will be a
precedent, only time will tell whether this is a one-off case or the
beginning of a purge.
Since the 1991 CRZ norms were flouted so widely, the question now is
whether the 2011 norms have been better designed. Environmentalists
are adamant that the government has diluted the provisions but Mr
Ramesh feels that the new norms have taken into account the
requirements of today. Yet, what can’t be discounted is the need to
increase monitoring at the ground level and also have a zero-tolerance
approach towards violators. In cases of such serious violations, the
violators (rightly so) end up at the receiving end. But what happens
to the officials who facilitate such activities? No one knows, and
post-Adarsh, it would still be business as usual.
Comments:
Simple Indian [Moderator] 15 hours ago
Though this is a welcome decision, it will never see the light of the
day, with so many netas and babus involved in the society. This is
just like all our laws – good on paper, but rarely get implemented in
letter or spirit !
CRZ norms may hit development
K.S. Sudhi
Vembanad Lake now comes under Critical Vulnerable Coastal Area
In focus: Provision entails rigid controls on activities in areas
around Vembanad Lake.
KOCHI: The inclusion of Vembanad Lake in Critical Vulnerable Coastal
Areas in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification 2011 may
impede development activities in a few districts of Kerala, it is
feared.
The Kerala State Coastal Zone Management Authority had expressed its
reservations regarding the inclusion of the lake on the list as it
implied “very rigid controls/ regulations.” It had urged the State
government to take up the case of the lake with the Union Ministry for
Environment and Forests as the inclusion “will impede the development
of Cochin [Kochi] and other adjoining areas.”
With the inclusion on the list, a wide range of activities in the lake
and its adjoining areas will be controlled by two Central legislations
brought in by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests — the CRZ
notification 2011 and the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules
2010.
The Wetlands Rules were made applicable to the lake as the Vembanad-
Kol Wetland was a Ramsar wetland of international importance under the
Ramsar convention. The rules also gave the lake protected wetland
status whereby the clearance from the Central Ministry was mandatory
for initiating development activities there.
The reduction of the No Development Zone (NDZ) to 100 metres on the
seafront in CRZ 3 has been welcomed by the Kerala authorities. This
has been one of the major demands of the fisher folk and the State.
Earlier, the NDZ was 200 metres.
The notification has permitted the construction/ reconstruction of
dwelling units of traditional coastal communities, including fisher
folk, between 100 and 200 metres from the High Tide Line (HTL) along
the seafront.
It has included all the islands in the backwaters of Kerala in its
ambit. It has also fixed 50 metres width towards the landward side
from the HTL as the CRZ area for the islands within the backwaters.
Kerala was given special consideration along with Goa and Greater
Mumbai as “areas requiring special consideration for the purpose of
protecting the critical coastal environment and difficulties faced by
local communities.”
The notification has permitted the repair and reconstruction of
existing dwelling units of local communities within 50 metres from the
HTL. However, no new constructions would be permitted.
Beyond the 50-metre limit on the landward side of backwater islands,
dwelling units of local communities can be constructed with the prior
permission of the respective grama panchayat.
Several foreshore facilities such as fishing jetty, fish-drying yards,
net-mending yard, fish processing by traditional methods, can be taken
up within 50 metres from the HTL of these islands.
Construction of hotels and beach resorts will not be allowed in
ecologically sensitive areas such as marine parks, mangroves, coral
reefs, breeding and spawning grounds of fish, wildlife habitats and
such other areas notified by the Centre or the State government or
Union Territories.
For beach resorts and hotels in CRZ 2 and 3, according to the
notification, the “project proponent shall not undertake any
construction within 200 metres in the landward side of HTL and within
the area between Low Tide Line and High Tide Line.
Revised CRZ norms to help Konkan growth, says Chavan
Press Trust of India
Posted: Monday, Dec 27, 2010 at 2336 hrs IST
Tags: Revised Coastal Regulatory Zone Guidelines | CRZ Rules Put
Restrictions | Konkan Growth
The revised Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) guidelines, to be announced
by Union environment ministry within two weeks, is expected to provide
fillip to the development of Konkan region of Maharashtra, chief
minister Prithviraj Chavan said on Sunday.
Fishing and tourism were the two important aspects of Konkan’s
development and if the CRZ rules put restrictions on infrastructure
creation in these two sectors, then it would be injustice with people,
he said.
The need to preserve and protect environment should not override
building and strengthening infrastructure facilities for fishing like
cold storage and minor ports, he said, speaking at the inauguration of
a three-day National Fish Festival at the Bandra-Kurla Complex in
suburban Mumbai.
“I will personally look into these issues and if the revised CRZ
guidelines do not address the Konkan’s concerns, I will take up the
matter with the environment ministry.”
The chief minister expressed concern over the declining fish
production in the state, saying it was a serious issue. There are 2.86
lakh fisherfolk in the state and the total fish production is 3.60
lakh tonne, which is just 13.5% of the national output, he said on
Sunday.
CRZ norms shield open spaces, limit FSI to 2.5
TNN, Jan 9, 2011, 06.20am IST
Tags:RTI|Coastal Regulatory Zone
MUMBAI: Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh unveiled a host of
policy decisions that are part of the new Coastal Regulatory Zone
norms here on Saturday.
One of the most important measures that will cheer the greens is the
open space policy. All open spaces in the city will have to be treated
like areas that fall within CRZ-3 areas. The law limits development of
areas governed by CRZ-3 norms if the projects are not linked to
“public interest” like supply of power, mining and petroleum, and
recreation facilities.
Another equally important policy introduction is the limiting of FSI
to 2.5 for redevelopment in CRZ areas. Earlier, it was suggested that
the cap could vary from area to area and go up to 4 depending on the
type of development.
Moreover, builders who take up development projects in CRZ areas,
where the government’s participation has to be at least 51%, will now
be exposed to queries under the Right To Information Act. “This will
ensure a proper check-and-balance system in CRZ areas,” Ramesh said.
The new norms also cleared the way for development. For instance,
roads on stilts can now be built in CRZ areas and thousands of
families living in slums and dilapidated cessed buildings can benefit
from redevelopment.
Rules of law
All open spaces now fall under CRZ-3 norms, putting them beyond any
development unless linked to public interest
FSI for redevelopment in CRZ areas limited to 2.5
Builders undertaking such redevelopment projects will come under RTI
scanner
Roads on stilts allowed in CRZ areas
CRZ norms will give Mumbai new life: Jairam Ramesh
Published: Saturday, Jan 8, 2011, 23:32 IST
By Surendra Gangan | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA
Terming the special relaxations given to Mumbai in the newly released
coastal regulation zone (CRZ) 2011 notifications as “liberalisation
with guard and safeguard”, minister of environment and forests Jairam
Ramesh said that they will give new impetus to the city that was
“dying a slow death”.
Referring to the stern restrictions in the outgoing CRZ notification
and the hurdles it posed to the redevelopment of dilapidated and
cessed buildings, construction of the flyovers, and commercial
activities in the coastal areas, Ramesh said that his ministry’s
pragmatic and practical approach will give the city a second life.
He said that his ministry has tried to achieve a balance between the
environment conservation and development and that it was a gamble.
While warning the authorities about enforcing and the people of the
city about their responsibility to avert the misuse of the
relaxations, he said he won’t mind withdrawing them if found violated.
Taking a dig at the builders and their “creativity” in evicting the
original tenants from the city, Ramesh said that the notification has
emphasised on the development by government agencies to maintain
transparency. “If we continue the old CRZ regulations, the city will
keep bleeding. The relaxation will help 146 slum dwelling clusters
accommodating 2.5 lakh people and 620 dilapidated and cessed building
accommodating 38,000 families to redevelop their structures,” he
added. “It will also facilitate the cluster development of 38
koliwadas.”
Ramesh said that the redevelopment of old and dilapidated buildings is
under the gambit of the Right to Information Act and subject to
comptroller and auditor general’s assessment. “This will ensure
transparent and fair development of the habitats and also that the
original tenants are not evicted. Concurrent audit by the state-Centre
monitoring committee will further keep a check on such development,”
he said.
While clarifying that violations like Adarsh will not be condoned
under the new notifications, he directed the state government to
conduct satellite imaging of other such violations in the city.
“Through satellite imaging, Goa has identified 5,000 violations of
various types. Other states, including Maharashtra, also are being
directed to identify such violations in four months and take action
against them in four months thereafter,” he said.
Ramesh said that the states also have been directed to create a Hazard
Line in next four to five years to safeguard the biodiversity. He also
clarified that the salts pans in the state will not be governed under
the new CRZ norms.
Environment ministry team will check Gujarat’s Mahuva plant impact
Published: Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011, 15:19 IST
By DNA Correspondent | Place: Ahmedabad | Agency: DNA
The union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) will send a team
of experts to Mahuva to assess if the cement plant coming up in the
taluka of Bhavnagar district will have any adverse impact on the
environment as feared by the local farmers. The report by the team
will decide the fate of the environmental clearance already given by
the ministry for the cement plant.
On Monday, the central government told the Supreme Court that the MoEF
had decided to send the team to Mahuva. Attorney-general GE Vahanvati
informed the apex court that the ministry had taken the decision as it
had found “some new material in the issue”.
The Supreme Court was hearing an appeal filed by Shree Mahua Bandhara
Khetiwadi Pariyavaran Bachav Samittee, a group of farmers from Mahuva.
The farmers had challenged the Gujarat high court order giving the go-
ahead to the plant being set up by Nirma.
The Gujarat government had allotted 268 hectare near Mahuva for the
cement plant in 2008. However, the local farmers, apprehending serious
environmental problems, filed a PIL in the high court seeking that the
land allotment done to the company be withdrawn. The farmers’
agitation is being spearheaded by BJP MLA from Mahuva, Dr Kanubhai
Kalsaria.
The farmers claim that the plant will destroy a huge water body that
has been the lifeline for thousands of villagers. According to them,
of the 268 hectares allotted to Nirma, 222 hectare covers the water
body.
The farmers’ protest has also got support from people like Chunibhai
Vaidya, Ila Pathak and Prakash N Shah.The 40-km stretch in Mahuva has
not been touched yet by any cement company. The agricultural land in
the region is very fertile and farmers grow bountiful of vegetables
and other agricultural produces.
Environment ministry status quo move may land Lavasa in trouble
Published: Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011, 1:25 IST
By Sreejiraj Eluvangal | Place: New Delhi | Agency: DNA
The Union ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) is learnt to have
directed Lavasa Corporation to maintain ‘status quo’ on its earlier
‘stop work’ order.
While Lavasa officials on Monday said they had received no intimation,
highly-placed sources in the ministry have confirmed it.
The ministry was supposed to reach a decision after conducting a site
visit and inform the Bombay high court too. In case there is a status
quo order, Lavasa is likely to move the Bombay high court again.
The court had asked the firm to wait for the ministry’s final order.
It was expected to be submitted on Monday, but is likely to be done on
Tuesday.
The status quo order will be a big setback to Lavasa. The move is
likely to pour cold water over the hopes rekindled by a recent comment
by Naresh Dayal, chairman of the ministry’s delegation that conducted
an on-the-spot check on the hill city project.
“Prima facie, forest destruction does not seem to have happened in
case of Lavasa,” he had said after a three-day visit 10 days ago.
The comment had raised eyebrows at the ministry, which clarified that
it must not be taken as the final verdict of the visiting panel.
Lavasa: Environment ministry submits affidavit and order in Bombay
high court
Published: Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011, 13:56 IST
Place: Mumbai | Agency: PTI
The Union ministry of environment and forests today told the Bombay
high court that it would submit its affidavit and a copy of its order
on the controversial Lavasa housing project near Pune, which allegedly
violated green norms.
Additional solicitor general Darius Khambata, appearing for the
ministry, told a division bench of Justice VC Daga and Juctice Rajesh
Ketkar that the ministry would be submitting its affidavit and order
to the court registrar later in the day.
Khambata said the matter would be heard on January 27.
The high court had on December 22 last year directed the environment
ministry to take a final decision on its show-cause notice to Lavasa
Corporation, the promoter of the project at the hill station
(Lonavala).
According to reports, the environment ministry has pointed to “grave
violations” in the Lavasa project and is mulling over strong action
against it.
The ministry had served notice to Lavasa Corporation on November 25,
2010 as to why it did not obtain environmental clearances as per
notifications issued under the Environment Protection Act before
commencing the project in 2004.
Lavasa Corporation, a subsidiary of Hindustan Construction Company,
challenged the notice before the high court. The corporation has
claimed that it is a tourism project and was based on the state hill
tourism policy, formulated by the Maharashtra government, allowing the
Rs2,000-crore project to come up.
Govt decides to ease CRZ norms for special areas
2 Comments
Express news service Tags : Mumbai coastline, Environment Ministry,
Coastal Regulation Zone Posted: Thu Sep 16 2010, 02:09 hrs New Delhi:
Opening up the possibility for the redevelopment of hundreds of slums
along the Mumbai coastline, the Environment Ministry has decided to
relax Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms for areas having special
development needs such as Greater Mumbai and Kerala.
The CRZ notification of 1991, that seeks to protect and regulate the
use of land within 500 metres of the coast, prevents almost any new
construction in coastal areas.
The Environment Ministry has decided to amend this notification,
realising that the pressure of development is not uniform across
India’s 7,500-km coastline and that certain areas need to be given
special consideration. The Ministry has thus decided that slum
redevelopment projects — provided the state government or its agencies
have at least 51 per cent stake in the plan — in Greater Mumbai will
not be held hostage to the tough CRZ regulations. Similar will be the
case of renovation and reconstruction of old, dilapidated and unsafe
buildings in Greater Mumbai that fall in the CRZ areas.
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In Kerala, which has a large number of small islands and narrow strips
of land in its backwaters, the CRZ provisions will apply only till 50
metres from the coast and not 500 metres as in general areas.
The proposed new regulations also provide for an integrated management
plan to be drawn up for Sunderbans and similar other “critical
vulnerable coastal areas” with unique development needs. Sunderbans
has some of the largest mangrove areas and is affected by the rise in
sea level.
Nearly five lakh people living in the Sunderbans face a lot of
hardship due to lack of adequate infrastructure facilities.
Areas such as Gulf of Khambat and Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat, Karwar and
Coondapur in Karnataka and some others will be treated similarly and
integrated management plans for development will be prepared in
consultation with local communities.
The relaxation in CRZ rules is only one of the several amendments that
have been proposed.
Another important amendment is the inclusion of India’s territory on
seas in CRZ areas. The 1991 notification applies only to the land side
of the coast.
View all Comments (2) |
accountantBy: PRAJIN KAKKANT | 17-Sep-2010
This rule will help many peopele specialy kerala to start fishiers
realted industry such as ice plant boat yard etc
Setting a precedent to favour Land Mafia By: bhanu | 16-Sep-2010
Just that the rules that are relaxed for Mumbai would be cited for
razing the coastlines everywhere else in the country.Its just setting
a precedent that GOING TO SCRUB DOWN THE ECOLOGY EVERYWHERE….
Mumbai airport project gets exemption from CRZ norms
Makarand Gadgil in Mumbai | May 05, 2009 09:55 IST
An important hurdle in getting environmental clearance for Mumbai’s
second airport at Navi Mumbai was cleared by the Bombay high court
earlier last week.
The high court order enables the union ministry of environment and
forests to issue notification exempting construction of the airport
from the Coastal Regulatory Zone norms.
A senior official from the state government’s urban development
ministry said formal clearance from the Union government is expected
once the new government is in place at the Centre.
It may be recalled that in January this year, chief minister Ashok
Chavan had written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who also
holds the portfolio of MoEF, requesting him to grant exemption to the
airport project from CRZ regulations.
However, in March this year, the MoEF wrote back to the state
government, expressing its inability to grant such an exemption in
view of the Bombay high court order directing the Centre and states to
provide protection to mangrove forests in the CRZ zone.
The second airport for Mumbai, being developed by the state
government’s town and industrial infrastructure arm CIDCO at Panvel in
Navi Mumbai area, is expected to come up on 2,000 hectares of land at
an investment of around Rs 10,000 crore (Rs 100 billion).
Subsequently, the state government moved a petition before the Bombay
high court and assured the court to replant the mangroves in other
areas.
Accepting the state government’s plea, the high court has now passed
the order which allows MoEF to grant the exemption. Nearly 800
hectares of mangrove forest is expected to be cut to facilitate
construction of the airport.
Revised CRZ norms may spell concrete revamp of coastline
Sanjeev Shivadekar
Environment Minister May Announce Changed Rules, Says Govt
With Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh likely to wave a green
flag for the new Costal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules, the state
government has claimed that the city’s coastline may soon witness a
concrete makeover. However, this has not gone down well with
environmentalists.
If the revised CRZ norms are implemented, builders would get more
floor space index (FSI) for every house going in for a revamp and that
would buttress redevelopment activities in parts of south Mumbai and
other areas dotting the sea. If state officials are to be believed,
the government will raise the FSI to 2.5 to 4 from the current 1.25 in
island city and 1 in the suburbs for proposed reconstruction projects.
According to minister of state for environment Sachin Ahir, the CRZ
rules pose a major hurdle in the redevelopment of dilapidated and
cessed buildings in south Mumbai, some parts of which are governed by
CRZ norms. “The Union environment minister should be announcing the
changes in the CRZ rules this week itself and the modifications would
bring relief to hundreds of residents of south Mumbai who are looking
for redevelopment of their old buildings,” Ahir said. A senior
official also added that Ramesh would announce the changes on Saturday
and that would “relax construction norms for the old and dilapidated
buildings, slums, fishermen’s colonies and other structures falling in
CRZ areas”.
Confirming the development, an environment department official said,
“The FSI for a coastal building slated for a makeover will depend in
which category the project will be done.” For instance, one will get
2.5 FSI if the redevelopment is done under the Development Control
Rule 33(7), but the figure will be raised to 4 if it is carried out
under the DC rule 33 (9). Under the DC rule 33 (7), an individual is
allowed to submit a revamp proposal, but under the DC rule 33 (9),
residents of the building have to form a group. South Mumbai MP Milind
Deora said, “Keeping the dense population of the city in mind, I had
urged the Union government to have a separate set of CRZ rules for
Mumbai,” he said.
When asked if environmentalists will support the “modification move”,
the senior state official said the notice was made public in October
last year after which, the department had invited suggestions and
objections to the proposals. “Only after incorporating all the
suggestions will the final draft be ready,” he added.
Environmentalists, of course, are not happy with the likely change and
said the only people it would help were builders. “Raising FSI in CRZ
areas would solve housing problem is a false impression given to the
Union ministry. If the Centre goes ahead with the modifications of the
CRZ rules, I can only say that Ramesh is doing what is predecessors
had done: giving in to pressure,” said environmentalist Debi Goenka.
Urban planner Prashant Malwade and retired urban development
department official Y V Kanhere objected to the disparity in the FSI
offered in CRZ areas. “Slums are granted an FSI of 4. The government
should offer the same FSI to old buildings that cannot be redeveloped
for the stringent norms,” Malwade added.
Category: CRZ, FSI, Redevelopment
Rich, powerful bend CRZ norms
Express News Service
First Published : 11 Jan 2011 04:38:52 AM IST
Last Updated : 11 Jan 2011 08:44:53 AM IST
CHENNAI: Pressure from the powerful and influential property owners
along the East Coast Road (ECR) had forced the CMDA to reclassify
three villages on the coastline to subvert certain development norms,
CMDA Chief Planner SR Rajendhiran revealed on Monday.
“We all know that VVIPs have houses and beach houses in areas along
ECR. Because of that pressure we have brought Kottivakkam, Palavakkam
and Neelangarai into Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) II from Zone III,”
said Rajendhiran.
Rajendhiran’s comments came in response to a question from a member of
the audience at a talk on CRZ organised by the Institution of
Engineers. The question: is the ISKCON temple in Injambakkam in line
with regulations as it was being constructed on lands that acted as a
fresh water aquifer? CMDA Senior Planner S Selvakumar was also
present.
The change of zoning of the above mentioned three fishing villages
would make way for construction activity. Development on these lands
was earlier prohibited as they are part of the groundwater aquifer,
which is affected by tidal action. Following approval from the Centre
in 2009, a CMDA authority meeting on January 19 last year resolved to
reclassify the zoning of the three villages.
“There are many unauthorised constructions in that region. If anyone
goes for a PIL, we will have to demolish a lot of buildings,”
Rajendhiran acknowledged, stressing that this was not an invitation
for people to file PILs.
Responding to a question from Express on the role of the CMDA in
enforcing CRZ Notifications in the area, Rajendhiran said, “The
Enforcement Cell of the CMDA has the authority to take direct action
against offenders, but the cell is very small. We receive thousands of
complaints everyday. The actual enforcement of the regulations has
been delegated to local bodies, which are politically controlled,
unlike the CMDA.”
Rajendhiran also acknowledged that there was a need to expand the
CMDA’s Enforcement Cell to ensure the enforcement of regulations. “The
CMDA is a young organisation. We are evolving and improving our
systems everyday,” he said.
Fishermen want tougher CRZ norms
Published: Tuesday, Jan 12, 2010, 0:14 IST
By DNA Correspondent | Agency: DNA
A delegation of the city’s fishermen community staged a dharna outside
the suburban collector’s office on Monday.
They were protesting against the neglect and sidelining of their
welfare issues by the agencies planning the city’s development.
The protest, staged under the banner of the Maharashtra Macchimar
Kruti Samiti, invited the participation of hundreds of fishermen.
Among the issues raised, the community reiterated the demand for
strengthening the existing coastal regulation zone (CRZ) norms in
order to protect their means of livelihood.
Led by Kiran Koli, the organisation’s vice president, the delegation
also demanded a relaxation in the protected area zone earmarked around
the oil wells operated by the Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC).
The protected zone was increased from 500 meters to five nautical
miles following the 26/11 attacks.
Arguing that this had hampered fishing activity, the delegation
demanded a restoration of the 500-meter norm. The forum also protested
the state government’s plan of setting up a nuclear power plant at
Jaitapur in Ratnagari.
New CRZ norms a boon for real estate companies
January 12, 2011
The new rules allow slum rehab in the CRZ area, redevelopment of
dilapidated structures in this previously no-go area and higher FSI.
But benefits could take a while to come in
The new coastal regulation zone (CRZ) norms open up huge development
potential for real estate companies in Mumbai. The new rules will
impact the sector in three major ways. Slum development which was not
permitted in CRZ areas is to be allowed. It will now become possible
to redevelop dilapidated, cessed and unsafe buildings within the zone.
The new norms also allow a floor space index (FSI) of 2.5 times in the
CRZ areas, in line with the rest of Mumbai city. Till now it was only
1.33 times.
The CRZ area, as defined by the environment ministry, is the stretch
within 500 metres of the high-tide line on the landward side. Under
CRZ 1, the construction of roads, approach roads and missing link
roads is allowed on stilts, to ensure that free flow of tidal water is
not impacted. Under CRZ 2, building development will now be allowed on
the seaward side of the CRZ stretch, with separate provision for slum
rehabilitation with FSI in accordance with existing regulations
(maximum 2.5 times + TDR) and government stake of 51% in such
projects.
As a safeguard against corruption, the Right to Information Act (RTI)
will be applicable to all such projects; the schemes of the Slum
Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) will be undertaken through companies
with a 51% or more government stake; the Ministry of Environment and
Forests will have the right to appoint statutory auditors for
redevelopment of dilapidated, cessed and unsafe buildings, while
projects under the SRA scheme will be audited by the Comptroller and
Auditor General (CAG). The government of Maharashtra will also set up
a ‘high level oversight committee’. The government sees a 51% stake in
projects as a positive, but the markets view it as a negative-the
players believe this will be a major deterrent for companies as it
leaves ‘very little room for them’ and it will in fact lead to a
breeding ground for kickbacks and corruption.
It is believed that as many as 47,000 families will benefit from the
new norms and that 146 slum clusters will be developed with the
additional FSI. Additionally, an attempt can be made to develop 620
dilapidated, unsafe and cessed structures where about 38,000 families
are residing currently. Other beneficiaries may include 38 colonies of
fisherfolk, located right from Colaba (in south Mumbai) to Gorai (in
Borivali).
To put things in perspective, of the 437 sq km area that is Mumbai
city, nearly 202 sq km is under, or is impacted by the CRZ, that is a
whopping 46% of the total area, according to a research report from
Kotak for its clients, published on Tuesday. The brokerage believes
that assuming all the families which can be rehabilitated will be at
300 sq ft per family, with a 2.5 times FSI, there is a potential for
real estate development of 89 million sq ft, “which at the current run-
rate would be equal to a decade of supply in various micro markets”.
Kotak says that if all works out well, “a case can be made for a win-
win scenario for both-developers and property buyers. Buyers could
benefit from lower residential property prices due to increased supply
(led by higher FSI available; while developers could benefit on
greater volumes and an internal rate of return (IRR) similar to
current redevelopment projects, as long as constant property prices
are factored when the bid is submitted to SRA (Slum Rehabilitation
Authority).”
Up until now, due to existing prohibitive norms, most SRA projects
took place only in north Mumbai-mostly inland. However, the new norms
will allow such projects throughout the coastal city.
While all this sounds great on paper, Kotak believes that any
meaningful impact will be 3-5 years away. “We are not turning bullish
on property developers focusing on rehabilitation projects on the back
of this, as we believe any meaningful NAV accretion will be at least
three years away, while project completion could be 5-7 years away and
we await progress in government-developer partnerships.” Even market
watchers believe that it will take at least six months to a year
before policy changes are incorporated in the city’s development plan
for redevelopment to start.
For now, it looks like HDIL, with around 49 million sq ft of developed
and ongoing slum rehabilitation projects (largely the Mumbai airport
SRA work) is the biggest beneficiary of the new norms, Kotak says. One
drawback is that it has very little presence in south Mumbai.
The slum problem in Mumbai is huge. According to some estimates, the
city has a 60% slum area, where unhygienic conditions and the lack of
basic amenities causes epidemics (malaria, dengue, even cholera) all
the year round. Some say that around 50% of Mumbai’s 14 million people
live in slums.
(This article is based on secondary research. The report is for
information only. None of the stock information, data and company
information presented herein constitutes a recommendation or
solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any securities. Investors
must do their own research and due diligence before acting on any
security. Some of the opinions expressed in this article are the
author’s own and may not necessarily represent those of Moneylife.) —
Munira Dongre
– Sucheta Dalal
CRZ norms hampering Karnataka tourism: Minister
Our Bureau
Mr Inamdar admitted that the disturbances over the Cauvery water-
sharing between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu had affected the tourism
industry, particularly in the Mandya-Mysore belt, which has the prime
tourist attractions in the State.
BANGALORE, Sept. 25
KARNATAKA has sought relaxation in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)
norm from the current 500 metres to 50 metres to enable it to develop
coastal tourism in the State. The current regulations have affected
the State’s efforts to promote coastal tourism in a big way, according
to the Minister for Tourism, Mr D.B. Inamdar.
The Minister said the delay however would not affect the Government’s
aggressive promotional activities to make the State a preferred
destination.
In an informal chat with reporters here today, Mr Inamdar admitted
that the disturbances over the Cauvery water-sharing between Karnataka
and Tamil Nadu had affected the tourism industry, particularly in the
Mandya-Mysore belt, which has the prime tourist attractions in the
State. The ongoing blockade of traffic to Mysore from Bangalore and
Tamil Nadu had resulted in the drop in the tourist inflow. Though he
did not quantify the loss due to disruption in tourist flow, the
Minister said, “overall, we will be hurt in many ways”, implying loss
to the service sectors dependent on the tourism industry.
While expressing confidence that the State would overcome this
temporary setback, Mr Inamdar regretted that the blanket travel
advisories issued by various countries due to disturbance in some
parts of the country had a negative impact on other regions which were
peaceful. He also said that the State would make extra efforts to
market its diverse topography focussing on areas of specific interest
to foreign travellers such as adventure, forest tourism and eco-
tourismHe said this in reply to a question whether the Government was
not relying excessively on Mysore as the main attraction.
Comment on this article to ***@thehindu.co.in
Orissa denies violation of FRA and CRZ norms at Posco site
BS Reporter / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar October 22, 2010, 0:25 IST
The Orissa government has filed its response to the Ministry of
Envionment and Forest (MoEF) regarding Meena Gupta committee’s reports
on Posco project, denying all allegations about violations of Forest
Rights Act (FRA) and Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) at the project
site.
The state government has reiterated its earlier stand that there are
no tribals at the Posco project site and palli sabhas had been
conducted as per established procedures and there had been no
irregularities.
“We have already faxed our response to the MoEF on the two separate
reports of the Meena Gupta panel. In our response, we have stated that
there has been no violation of FRA and there are no tribals at the
Posco project site”, B K Pattnaik told media persons.
On issues pertaining to environmental clearance and CRZ clearance, he
said, “One cannot say there has been violation of environmental and
CRZ norms as work on the project is yet to take off and this has also
been mentioned by Meena Gupta in her report. The compliance of
environmental and CRZ norms can be ensured only after work on the
project begins.”
Pattnaik also stated that the palli sabhas have been conducted as per
procedures and there have been no irregularities in the process. He
further said the state government has requested the MoEF to allow work
on the Posco project to continue.
It may be noted that the MoEF had issued a stop work order on the
Posco project on August 5 based on the recommendations of the N C
Saxena committee.
“The FRAs have been implemented as per procedures. As far as
Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) is concerned, Posco has
announced a special package and this package has been approved by the
Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory Committee (RPDAC).
If any family is left out of the R&R process, it can be included”,
said an official source.
The report submitted by the three other members of the panel- Urmila
Pingle, Devendra Pandey and V Suresh- strongly felt that there have
been serious lapses and illegalities in the EIA process. They held
that the EIA prepared for the Posco project was a rapid EIA, based on
one season data without taking into account all the components of the
project like township project, water project, rail road and transport
facilities.
South Mumbai bldgs violating CRZ norms under court scanner
HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times
Mumbai, November 19, 2010
First Published: 01:27 IST(19/11/2010)
Last Updated: 01:29 IST(19/11/2010)
The Bombay High Court has turned up the heat on constructions in south
Mumbai which violate the Coastal Regulatory Zone Notification of
February 1991. The court on Thursday directed the additional collector
(encroachments) and municipal commissioner to submit a report stating
action taken pursuant
to the communication by December 23.
Central Environment and Forest Ministry had issued the communication
on November 20, 2001, asking the state government to identify and
remove all constructions [after February 19, 1991, when the
notification was issued] in south Mumbai, which were in violation of
the CRZ notification.
The communication was issued following a high court order. Acting on a
public interest litigation filed by the Colaba-Cuffe Parade Citizens’
Group, the court had on March 21, 2001 directed the environment and
forest Ministry to take action in accordance with CRZ notification.
The court had also directed the ministry to submit an action-taken
report, for which the communication was forwarded to the state.
On Thursday, counsel for the petitioner association, Rui Rodricks,
contended that the state government had neither taken any action
pursuant to the communication nor any action-taken report was
submitted to the court.
He submitted that instead during the period rampant violations have
taken place by way of illegal construction from Nariman Point to Navy
Nagar and destruction of mangroves.
While a number of slums settled along south Mumbai coastline are
listed by a commissioner appointed by the high court, some high-rise
buildings, such as the controversial Adarsh Co-operative Housing
Society, are on the list of alleged violators of CRZ norms.
The matter will come up for hearing in January 2011.
No gimmicks, no pie in the sky, no bull. Proven, 20-year track record:
Just a click away
New CRZ norms a boon for real estate companies
January 12, 2011 11:51 AM
Munira Dongre
slum
The new rules allow slum rehab in the CRZ area, redevelopment of
dilapidated structures in this previously no-go area and higher FSI.
But benefits could take a while to come in
The new coastal regulation zone (CRZ) norms open up huge development
potential for real estate companies in Mumbai. The new rules will
impact the sector in three major ways. Slum development which was not
permitted in CRZ areas is to be allowed. It will now become possible
to redevelop dilapidated, cessed and unsafe buildings within the zone.
The new norms also allow a floor space index (FSI) of 2.5 times in the
CRZ areas, in line with the rest of Mumbai city. Till now it was only
1.33 times.
The CRZ area, as defined by the environment ministry, is the stretch
within 500 metres of the high-tide line on the landward side. Under
CRZ 1, the construction of roads, approach roads and missing link
roads is allowed on stilts, to ensure that free flow of tidal water is
not impacted. Under CRZ 2, building development will now be allowed on
the seaward side of the CRZ stretch, with separate provision for slum
rehabilitation with FSI in accordance with existing regulations
(maximum 2.5 times + TDR) and government stake of 51% in such
projects.
As a safeguard against corruption, the Right to Information Act (RTI)
will be applicable to all such projects; the schemes of the Slum
Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) will be undertaken through companies
with a 51% or more government stake; the Ministry of Environment and
Forests will have the right to appoint statutory auditors for
redevelopment of dilapidated, cessed and unsafe buildings, while
projects under the SRA scheme will be audited by the Comptroller and
Auditor General (CAG). The government of Maharashtra will also set up
a ‘high level oversight committee’. The government sees a 51% stake in
projects as a positive, but the markets view it as a negative-the
players believe this will be a major deterrent for companies as it
leaves ‘very little room for them’ and it will in fact lead to a
breeding ground for kickbacks and corruption.
It is believed that as many as 47,000 families will benefit from the
new norms and that 146 slum clusters will be developed with the
additional FSI. Additionally, an attempt can be made to develop 620
dilapidated, unsafe and cessed structures where about 38,000 families
are residing currently. Other beneficiaries may include 38 colonies of
fisherfolk, located right from Colaba (in south Mumbai) to Gorai (in
Borivali).
To put things in perspective, of the 437 sq km area that is Mumbai
city, nearly 202 sq km is under, or is impacted by the CRZ, that is a
whopping 46% of the total area, according to a research report from
Kotak for its clients, published on Tuesday. The brokerage believes
that assuming all the families which can be rehabilitated will be at
300 sq ft per family, with a 2.5 times FSI, there is a potential for
real estate development of 89 million sq ft, “which at the current run-
rate would be equal to a decade of supply in various micro markets”.
Kotak says that if all works out well, “a case can be made for a win-
win scenario for both-developers and property buyers. Buyers could
benefit from lower residential property prices due to increased supply
(led by higher FSI available; while developers could benefit on
greater volumes and an internal rate of return (IRR) similar to
current redevelopment projects, as long as constant property prices
are factored when the bid is submitted to SRA (Slum Rehabilitation
Authority).”
Up until now, due to existing prohibitive norms, most SRA projects
took place only in north Mumbai-mostly inland. However, the new norms
will allow such projects throughout the coastal city.
While all this sounds great on paper, Kotak believes that any
meaningful impact will be 3-5 years away. “We are not turning bullish
on property developers focusing on rehabilitation projects on the back
of this, as we believe any meaningful NAV accretion will be at least
three years away, while project completion could be 5-7 years away and
we await progress in government-developer partnerships.” Even market
watchers believe that it will take at least six months to a year
before policy changes are incorporated in the city’s development plan
for redevelopment to start.
For now, it looks like HDIL, with around 49 million sq ft of developed
and ongoing slum rehabilitation projects (largely the Mumbai airport
SRA work) is the biggest beneficiary of the new norms, Kotak says. One
drawback is that it has very little presence in south Mumbai.
The slum problem in Mumbai is huge. According to some estimates, the
city has a 60% slum area, where unhygienic conditions and the lack of
basic amenities causes epidemics (malaria, dengue, even cholera) all
the year round. Some say that around 50% of Mumbai’s 14 million people
live in slums.
(This article is based on secondary research. The report is for
information only. None of the stock information, data and company
information presented herein constitutes a recommendation or
solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any securities. Investors
must do their own research and due diligence before acting on any
security. Some of the opinions expressed in this article are the
author’s own and may not necessarily represent those of Moneylife.)
CRZ norms revised; likely to modify Mumbai’s coastline
By Indrajit Sen
Mumbai: The city’s sea skyline is set for a makeover. Construction
along the coastline could gain momentum now with the Union environment
ministry recently notifying new coastal zone regulations, lifting the
restrictions on floor space index (FSI) for the redevelopment of slum
colonies and dilapidated cessed buildings under the Coastal Regulation
Zone (CRZ).
There are over 80 large slum pockets and 300 small ones on the coast
between Cuffe Parade and Dahisar. Most builders were not interested in
redeveloping these pockets primarily because the FSI—the permissible
built-up area to the size of the plot—was restricted to between 1.25
and 1.6. The new notification, which came into effect recently, allows
such slum projects to get an FSI of 2.5 to 4.
The new regulations, however, do not give slum developers a carte
blanche. The state government will have to partner with builders in
redeveloping these slums and hold a minimum stake of 51%. A senior
state official said he was hopeful this would give a fillip to
affordable housing.
Also benefiting from the additional FSI will be more than 4,000
dilapidated cessed properties in the island city, and other “unsafe
buildings” falling under the CRZ.
BUILDERS’ BOON
• Extra FSI for slum redevelopment and old buildings under CRZ.
Construction boom expected along city coastline
• No-development zone reduced from 200 m to 100 m from high tide line.
Move will benefit fisherfolk
• Open spaces, parks and gardens in CRZ classified no-development
zones
• All projects more than 2 lakh sq ft require clearance from the
Centre. Builders must seek tenants’ consent sooner Union Environment
Ministry Rains FSI On Structures In CRZ II,
But Introduces Safeguards For Project Approval
Under the new norms, builders redeveloping these structures will get
an FSI of between 2.5 and 3, instead of an FSI of 2 that was allowed
by Coastal Zone Regulations, 1991.
As an ostensible safeguard, the environment ministry has mandated that
these projects can be executed only after public consultation. From
now on, the builder has to get the consent of the legally entitled
slum dweller or tenants of dilapidated cessed buildings before
approaching the environment ministry for project clearance.
Besides this, the ministry has streamlined the procedure for project
approvals following complaints. Earlier, a redevelopment project in a
CRZ II area of less than Rs 5
crore was approved by the state, while those above the amount had to
seek the Centre’s nod. Removing the old condition, the ministry has
now stipulated that projects above 2 lakh sq ft (built-up area) will
need its sanction. But before the MoEF comes into the picture, the
state Coastal Zone Management Authority will have to evaluate the
projects and recommend them to the Centre. Government sources said the
ministry changed the Rs 5-crore clause after it found that many
builders undervalued their projects to avoid the Centre’s clearance.
Insisting that redevelopment projects be carried out in an
“accountable and transparent manner”, the MoEF has ruled that the
Right To Information Act shall apply to all redevelopment or
reconstruction projects granted clearance by the authorities. Also, in
future, details of the slum rehabilitation scheme, including names of
eligible slum dwellers, will have to be revealed a month before
approving the project.
The new notification reduced by half the minimum no-development zone
of 200 m from the high tide line. The ministry said the change is
meant to meet the “increased demands of housing for fishing and other
traditional coastal communities”. There are 43 Koliwadas in the city,
housing around 1 lakh fishermen.
“Fishing settlement areas, identified under the development plan of
1981 or under records of the state government, shall be mapped and
declared CRZ III so that any development, including construction and
reconstruction, shall be undertaken in accordance with local Town and
Country Planning Regulations,” said the new notification.
Under the new coastal norms, open spaces, parks, gardens and
playgrounds indicated in developments plans within CRZ II shall be
categorized ‘no-development zones’. No residential or commercial use
of such open spaces will be allowed. However, an FSI of up to 15% will
be permitted for the construction of civic amenities, stadiums and
gymnasiums meant for recreational or sports-related activities on such
plots.
An area of up to 12 nautical miles into the sea will be used for
traditional fishing and related activities by local communities. “No
untreated sewage, effluents, fly ash or solid waste shall be let off
or dumped. A comprehensive plan for treatment of sewage generating
from coastal towns and cities shall be formulated within one year in
consultation with stakeholders including traditional coastal
communities, and implemented,” the notification said.
The ministry directed all state governments to demarcate all CRZ areas
using satellite maps.
Mapping Mangroves
The norms require the state Coastal Zone Management Authority to
classify CRZ areas and map mangroves falling under CRZ-I. Also, a
1,000-sq-m buffer zone along mangrove areas has to be colour-coded
Sand Mining, Groundwater Digging
Barring for rare minerals and oil exploration, mining has been banned.
Construction industry experts said that the move could affect the pace
and cost of projects
Sea Link phase II
The norms permit construction of roads, approach roads and missing
links in Mumbai’s CRZ-I areas. The permission will help the second
phase of the Sea Link
Discharge of Waste
Restrictions have been placed on coastline development and on throwing
untreated waste and effluents up to 12 nautical miles into the sea
Mapping Sea-Level Rise
Besides tidal currents, the state has to include hazard mapping based
on sea-level rise and shoreline changes
Kolis in Mumbai find new CRZ norms a fishy proposition
Published: Sunday, Jan 16, 2011, 3:00 IST
By Apoorva Dutt | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA
When US president Barack Obama uncharacteristically took to the floor
to join a Koli dance in November, the images were beamed across the
world with the tacit affirmation that all was well with the oldest
community of Mumbai.
Last week’s redevelopment bonanza doled out to the city’s fishing
community should have sealed that image, but has it?
Uday Shanbhag spent five days living on Juhu beach with the Koli
community.
His project consisted of him ritualistically scribbling ‘kuberanige
niru beku’ on the sand twice a day (a palindrome phrase meaning ‘the
sea god wants more water’), drinking tea with Kolis, listening as they
got drunk and talkative in the evenings, and accompanying them on
swaying boats to pick up empty fishing lines in the early hours of the
morning.
Sunil, a Koli fisherman who lives a hundred steps away from the houses
of some of the richest people in the city, played his host and
teacher.
A friendly and soft-spoken man, Sunil is initially hesitant to comment
on either the new legislation or Shanbhag’s unexpected visit. “I don’t
know how the laws will affect me,” he shrugs.
“I am happy, but many family and friends were displaced in Thane and
Worli because of building projects. Such things should be prevented.”
Professor Sanjay Ranade is the head of the Communications department
of Mumbai University, and has been working closely with the Koli
community for the past four years.
“Trombe and Worli will be the worst affected, along with Thane and
Madh Island, because of their proximity to the water,” he points out.
Ranade believes that the legislation cannot be judged yet. “We made
the sea link, and we love the easy traffic, but we won’t know the
repercussions for another ten years — how the pillars have changed
fish patterns, which currents are broken, and so on.”
Ashok Ram, a fisherman from the Worli Koliwada, places the blame for
his diminishing catches on company trawlers whose large catches leave
close to nothing for him.
“Look at this,” he says, pointing at his catch for the day — ten small
fishes and two large ones. “This is all I will take to the market. Of
this, I will take very little back home.” Ashok remembers when he took
to fishing in his early teens.
“I used to be able to see the bottom of the sea, and now there is so
much pollution that I can taste the chemicals in the fish I eat,” he
says. He also places the blame partly on the construction of the
Bandra-Worli sea link, saying, “My entire family has been displaced
twice because of development. Where is the development for us?”
The new plan, to be implemented within two years, includes amendments
aimed at protecting erosion-prone areas, re-allocation of slum
development, to public finance to avoid exploitation of the community
and providing basic infrastructure facilities for sustaining their
livelihood.
Under the liberalised coastal regulation zone (CRZ) rules, the
koliwadas have been placed under the CRZ- III category, making them
eligible for a floor space index (FSI) — the ratio between the built-
up area and the plot area available — of 2.5 as opposed to the earlier
cap of 1.33 FSI.
Ranade believes that this will not change much, because of the
staggering number of non-Koli tenants living in koliwadas. Some areas
have a ratio of one Koli for every ten tenants.
“These tenants have been living here for many years, and their tenant
rights will not allow the full benefits of the cap increase to go
directly to the Kolis,” he says.
Developers have dismissed the new policies as vague and impractical,
environmentalists have attacked them for ignoring ecological issues,
while the National Fishermen’s Forum chairperson Mathany Saldhana has
called it a “sleight of the hand” by the ministry towards opening
coastal lands to large-scale development.
Others have hailed it as a piece of legislation, which, if implemented
correctly, could vastly improve the living conditions of more than 25%
of the country’s population — more than 10 million fishermen who
depend directly on the sea for livelihood.
Jaimram Lochan, a private builder, says, “It doesn’t matter whether
land belongs to the Kolis or to the government. The contractor will
always be the middleman who benefits.”
Ghanshyam is a fisherman in the Thane Koliwada. When asked about his
livelihood, he takes out a small notebook in which he has neatly noted
his daily catch for the last two years.
The numbers’ upward spikes become less frequent as the pages turn,
with the catch eventually dwindling below a dozen on an average. “It’s
the pollution, it’s the trawlers,” he says. “There is nothing but
problems. I have very little hope.”
“Mumbai doesn’t care about the Koli community,” Ranade says
dismissively.
“But they are multicultural on a level that the ‘other’ Mumbai is not.
Every koliwada has a Muslim pir that must be served with a plate of
offerings during celebrations. When the Obamas came here, we showed
him the Koli dance. The truth is that Mumbai has no cultural identity
without the Kolis. But they have been abandoned by us, and are left in
a cultural limbo.”
Comment
Expanding national highways is not the road to the future
Yatish Rajawat | Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The myopia of our mandarins continues. Union minister of road
transport and highways Kamal Nath, on taking office, grandiosely
announced that ‘the central government intends to spend Rs100,000
crore on building roads’. He said he wanted to build 20km of roads
every day.
One may ask what is wrong with the idea, as these roads will connect
villages and make travelling within cities better. But specifically,
these are not village or city roads; these are highways and they are
not being built, but are being expanded. A four-lane highway is being
turned into a six-lane.
The first question is: Why is the government spending so much on
national highways when the common man rarely uses them? India has the
world’s second largest road network at around 33,00,000 km of roads;
national highways constitute just 70,548km or around 2%. The
government intends to spend Rs100,000 crore on sprucing up 2% of
India’s roads! Of course, it must be noted that the national highways
are important for the movement of goods, since they carry 50% of the
country’s freight.
Article continues below the advertisement…
But it still doesn’t explain why the government is spending such a
large sum of money on national highways. If this money was spent on a
billion people, each would get Rs1,000; it can fund MNREGA for more
than 10 years; it is also several times the amount that the government
has spent on city roads under JNNURM.
The reason this is happening is because our bureaucrats and ministers
seek importance from how much their ministries can spend.If they don’t
have the money, they will give the projects to private companies, who
will charge every individual who uses these roads.In a way, this money
will come out of your pocket as you will either pay the toll every
time you use these highways, or in the form of higher prices for
commodities that travel on these roads to reach you.
The private companies may or may not rebuild these roads, but they
will certainly build toll plazas and the ministry will give them the
license to charge toll. And this is the second reason for not fixing
an expenditure amount: it will allow the ministry to give out licenses
to companies to collect money from the common man.
If the government wanted to address the real problem, which is the
movement of freight and passengers, it would have sought a more
sustainable solution.
The ministry is called road transportation but its focus is on roads,
not transportation. Which is why against the Rs100,000 crore being
spent on roads, it is spending just Rs74 crore on public
transportation.
It is a fact that vehicles using diesel or petrol are not a viable
solution for moving freight or passenger; trains are more efficient.
Moreover, oil prices are rising. Most oilfields have been emptied and
the daily production is steadily falling; corporates are trying to
find new sources of oil like shale oil.
Oil will never be cheap and will never meet the needs of the world.
But electricity can be generated by coal produced locally, which will
remain available for a longer period of time. Locking such a large
part of our capital in building road infrastructure, which is bound to
become costlier to use, will only affect India’s competitiveness in
the coming years.
In such an environment, we should be channelising these funds towards
building rail corridors for freight and passengers. Another part of
the government is working on such a project. The Delhi-Mumbai
industrial corridor will have a freight railway line alongside. This
entire project requires Rs400,000 crores and is currently starved of
funds. Why doesn’t the ministry of road transportation divert its
resources to support this corridor?
Most passenger traffic on the national highways is concentrated around
less than 500km of travel. Here too, electrified rail or metro will
prove more efficient. Even cities and state government have realised
that metros are the best means for mass transportation. Unfor
tunately, the ministry of road transportation seems to be stuck in the
19th century, when roads were the preferred mode of transport.
If a government scam is defined as a loss of public funds due to wrong
policies, expanding the national highways should be counted as such.
The prime minister needs to step in and set the priority for this
ministry, otherwise future generations will never forgive us for
creating a colossal mess of merely widening the national highways.
…and I am Sid Harth
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