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This story is from September 24, 2020
River fury strikes back at Navi Mumbai airport site where diversion work is on
Vijay Singh / TNN / Sep 24, 2020, 21:44 IST
A natural retribution of a river provoked could be seen during Wednesday’s heavy rains at the Navi Mumbai International Airport site, where the water diversion work is being carried out at Ulwe. The vastly swelled up Ulwe river submerged several JCBs, a dumper truck and various workers’ tools at the site, leading to extensive property damage.
The green activists have reiterated that destroying the local wetlands, mangroves, cutting of hillocks, river diversions at the airport site is bound to cause floods in the future, even after the airport is built.
In a latest letter written to the Expert Appraisal Committee (Infra 2) of MoEF & Climate Change, environmentalist Debi Goenka of Conservation Action Trust has pointed out that it is alarming that five local rivers (Ulwe, Gadhi, Taloja, Kalundri and Kasadi) have to be diverted for the airport construction. More flood zones will be created in Panvel, Ulwe, Dronagiri areas as a result, he pointed.
``In spite of the diverse and sensitive ecology of the airport project site, and numerous objections by activists, the Environment and CRZ clearance for NMIA was granted in November 2010. At that time, we were told that only two rivers, namely Ulwe and Gadhi, will be diverted away from the main airport area. But now, it is shocking to learn that five rivers will re-channelled at the site. The NMIA project is a mess, and we must brace for further flash floods in nearby areas including the upcoming Ulwe node in future,’’ said Goenka.
The head of corporate communications of the GVK group, Ram Mankekar, told TOI: "The Ulwe river incident took place just outside our group’s jurisdiction of the NMIA project. The Cidco agency is carrying out river diversion work there with the aid of JCBs and other machines.’’
A Cidco spokesperson said that she will get back with a comment from the onsite officials later. Senior Cidco officer (environment) Pramod Patil, also stated that officials at the site will have to be contacted for further details.
Environmentalist D Stalin of Vanashakti NGO and member of the high court appointed wetlands grievance redressal panel, said: "So many natural and human-made wetlands have been destroyed by land sharks in recent years in Uran, Navi Mumbai, Thane and other places. Various wetland birds used to visit the area where the NMIA is being planned. Hence, it is worrisome to see how this project will shape, and its effect on the local environment."
In his detailed letter to the MoEF & CC, Goenka has also stated: "Prior to 2010, another site found feasible for the NMIA project was Rewas-Madwa in Raigad district. But, this was rejected on the ground that it falls under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). So, I feel that the eco-sensitive Navi Mumbai site was finalized because it falls in the jurisdiction of Cidco. If the implementing agency for the airport had been MMRDA, which has a much larger jurisdiction of more than 4000 sq kms, the site selected would, in all probability, have been a different one."
Navi Mumbai activist B N Kumar of NatConnect Foundation commented: "Our wetlands and mangroves offer natural flood resistance. However, manic reclamations and even diversions of rivers are dangerously playing with Nature, as there is bound to be an eco-backlash. During the cloudburst of July 26, 2005, the Mumbai airport had also been flooded as the Mithi river had been diverted at this site. Hence, think about the reaction to our current actions.’’
'Save Mumbai from drowning by saving the environment'
Green activists have reiterated that the accelerated effects of Climate Change is raising the seawater levels, that can lead to a disaster for a coastal city like Mumbai by 2050.
"The 2019 study report by the US group Climate Central has clearly stated how several parts of Mumbai are in danger of going underwater by 2050, due to the effects of climate change. Then, there will be no use of infrastructure if everything is going to drown. So, the only way out is to take care of our environment now,’’ said environmentalist B N Kumar of NatConnect Foundation.
Activist Debi Goenka of Conservation Action Trust, said: "If rapid industrialization and wrecking of wetlands continues, I don’t think we will have to wait till 2050 for Mumbai to submerge, since it can happen sooner. Ice in the Tundra regions near Russia is also rapidly melting, which also exposes human race to prehistoric bacteria and micro organisms trapped within the permafrost ice. All these factors can destroy humans, if we don’t take proactive green steps now."
Besides Mumbai, green activists pointed that many other coastal cities and villages in India and other parts can be submerged due to aggravated climate change.
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River fury strikes back at Navi Mumbai airport site where diversion work is on | Navi Mumbai News - Times of India
24 September 2020 - In a latest letter written to the ... Action Trust has pointed out that it is alarming that five local rivers (Ulwe, Gadhi, Taloja, Kalundri and Kasadi) have to be diverted for the airport construction....
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25 September 2020 - In the latest letter written to ... Action Trust has pointed out that it is alarming that five rivers — Ulwe, Gadhi, Taloja, Kalundri and Kasadi — have to be diverted to construct the airport....
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