Navi Mumbai to get first elevated Metro rail by 20013

Of the 12 suggestions put forward by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the metro rail project in Navi Mumbai, City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has accepted three suggestions.
In the first phase, CIDCO will develop metro rail along the 24 kms stretch of Belapur-Kharghar-Taloja-Kalamboli-Mansarovar route. The second phase will be developed along 19 km stretch of Mankhurd-Vashi-International airport and the third phase along 14 km stretch of Kharkopar-Ulwe-International airport, informed CIDCO Chairman Nakul Patil while addressing media at Belapur Bhavan on Thursday. Divulging more details, Patil said the cost of the project will be Rs 140 crore for each kilometer. DMRC will act as technical advisor for the project .
"DMRC will now prepare a detailed project report and work will begin accordingly. The entire stretch will be elevated and underground passage has been ruled out. DMRC had approached IIT, Powai to conduct a study of the population growth of Navi Mumbai and accordingly draft a travel model to suit the needs of the projected 40 lakh population in the next ten years. IIT's suggestions will be incorporated while drafting the detailed project report," he said.
CIDCO, however, has still not decided on a revenue model for the project and will do so after receiving the final project report, an official said. The metro rail project will provide the much-needed connectivity to the proposed airport in Navi Mumbai and help residents of both Mumbai and Navi Mumbai commute to the airport, assured Patil. The aim is to enable a passenger to reach the Panvel airport from South Mumbai at the earliest, he said. When questioned about the CRZ clearance for any land falling under mangroves, CIDCO officials assured that the Corporation already has acquired land for the project and the High Court has given its nod for all infrastructural projects

Towards a clean and green city

On one hand, there is more greenery in areas that are left untouched. For example, at the end of sector 8 in Vashi mangroves have really grown over the last 20 years. On the other, mangroves are being destroyed in certain areas. Nature just needs to be left alone in order to thrive," says M Jacob who has been living in Navi Mumbai for the past 22 years.
Environmental awareness:
Recently, many residents and joggers associations like Parsik Hills Walkers Association and Vashi Joggers Ecological Movement have been active in advocating environmental issues. Many schools in Navi Mumbai are actively involved in regular tree plantation drives.
children are the key when it comes to environmental awareness. "To create awareness school children need to be targeted. Probably one could approach their parents to reach out to housing societies.
The Indian Women's Scientists Association (IWSA) has started a new programme involving schoolchildren and teachers in the city collecting environmental data as well as creating awareness. However, she feels that there is lack of adequate dedicated activists and sufficient people's participation in the decision making process.
Solar heaters, windmills and rainwater harvesting are positive developments in some housing societies. Activists are of the opinion that the NMMC should look into making these measures mandatory for new buildings. plastic bags and littering are major problems more so because of citizens lack of concern for the environment than negligence of authorities.

Mangroves:
There are many superior species of mangroves in Navi Mumbai. Mangroves are unique trees that grow only in saline conditions. They shelter marine, bird and insect life.
The common Avicennia is an abundant species of mangrove plant found in Navi Mumbai. So also the blinding tree (called so because the juice blinds the eyes) and the apple mangrove.
Says Jacob, "In many places the mangroves are being mercilessly hacked. Locals are building ponds for pisciculture. Often there are fires in the mangroves belt. No one knows who does this or even who is responsible for the preservation of mangroves.
The authorities are busy passing the buck. There is also dumping of waste in the mangroves and creation of bunds in the mangrove areas. Subsistence of the mangroves depends on the tides and flooding or controlling the flow of water to them that affects their growth."

the holding ponds created by CIDCO in Vashi and Kopar Khairane are very important and specially designed for holding rainwater and preventing flooding.
Well meaning corporators are filling up portions of the ponds for lawns and gardens but this lowers the carrying capacity of the ponds. Many systematic encroachments are also taking place in both garden areas and water bodies. This should be prevented as the gardens in the city act as major sinks of different air pollutants while the water bodies prevent flooding.

Save environment to ensure a better future

Every year we celebrate World Environment Day on June 5. Degradation of environment has been worrying the world. Vast areas of green land have been ravaged leading to ecological imbalance. Unless we respect the environment all our effort for development can only being negative result. The belief that humans are the master of the natural world needs to be re-evaluated. India with its reach heritage of medicinal plants and wild life is playing a leading role in trying to save our rich heritage through public awareness.
Development work like buildings, dams, roads, bridges possess a major threat to the ecological balance of our country. Falling of trees to build and expand township as also by the tribels for firewood is seriously threatening the environment. Across the globe up to 24.4 million of hectares of forest is vanishing every year. One reason is human greed, wood is need for building, furniture, fuel, paper and industry.
Demand is increasing by leaps and bounds. The need for fire wood also destroying forests. In India, people living around national sanctuaries are forced to cut trees in the forest for their needs. There are controlled ways of cutting trees which can be replaced by planting sapling. But who bothers?
In our country situation is very grave. People awareness and active involvement is necessary to protect our environment. On our part, we can do a lot to save our decaying cities. If possible educate the poor on the benefits of having small family. Every little thoughtful act will help our city survive.

NGO for women gets land on lease

CIDCO allots 14,000 sq ft plot at Sector 18 in Koparkhairane to Stree Mukti Sanghatana
Stree Mukti Sanghatana (SMS), an autonomous body which is working towards women's development since 1975, recently acquired a land from City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) for a period of 60 years.
Thirtyfour years into its formation, the association was conducting its activity across Navi Mumbai and Mumbai in rented premises and community centre of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC). This will be first official centre of the organization and the construction work will commence from next month.
An area admeasuring 14,000 sq ft was allotted by CIDCO to the organization at sector 18 in Koparkhairane. The association will be constructing a multi-facility structure with state-of-the-art amenities for women. Starting with crèche to working women's hostel, the construction work is expected to be completed within six months.
"We have been working in Navi Mumbai for the past 20 years, however, with lack of proper space the kind of activities held was on low scale. The land was allotted three years back, but we got the possession after we paid the required fees," secretary of the association Sharada Sathe said.
The association has branches all over the state and has been actively working in rendering help to the needy and ill-treated women. Conducting counselling sessions and imparting knowledge on vocational courses, the primary motto of the association is betterment of the women population.
"The centre will look into upliftment of women in any walk of life. It's keeping this in view that the centre will attempt to provide job opportunity and means towards financial independence. The acquisition of the land is a major achievement for the association that would go a long way in promoting our activity," Sathe added.

World Environment day observed in Mumbai

With observance of Environment Day, Department of Environment – Government of Maharashtra and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board organized a meet where present as the chief guest was Chief Minister Ashok Chavan. Also present was Deputy Chief Minister Chaggan Bhujbal, Minister for Environment and Excise Ganesh Naik, State Minister for Environment Vijay Wadettiwar and Chairperson of MPCB Valsa Nair amongst others. The opening ceremony was performed by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan after which all those present took an oath of preserving and conserving our nature. This was followed by a book launch where two books named Gatha Gynachi and Jaagar Paryavaracha was presented. On the day, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan stated that not just the state, but the involvement of NGOs and social organizations was very important in conserving environment. He further stated that political parties will also add this as an important agenda in their manifesto.