Dear Citizens,

The BMC released an official statement (attached as photo) today about proposed green spaces on the Coastal Road that contradict its own records. They have invited citizens to "seek clarification" by emailing che.coastalroad@mcgm.gov.in.

Please join us in writing to the BMC today to seek answers on this matter as well as a number of other issues.

Thank you for your support,

Save our Coast

Please copy the text below this line and paste it into your email.

And send to : che.coastalroad@mcgm.gov.in

Cc to: saveourcoast2019@gmail.com

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Subject: Citizens asking for Coastal Road clarifications

Body:

Dear BMC,

This is with respect to the BMC's official statement to the press dated 02.05.2019 regarding rumours about the Coastal Road project.

Kindly have a look at your letter dated 21.03.2017 (http://environmentclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/Online/TOR/22_Mar_2017_193357353VGJQVDLOReclamation_Area_Statement.pdf addressed to MoEF where it is stated that:

(-) the area of Green Space = 70 Ha

(-) area of amenities in green space = 56 Ha

(-) median green space = 3.96 Ha [we do hope you do not expect our children to play in the median]

= which leaves just 10.04 Ha of recreational green space.

As you will see, our data is based on facts & is certainly no rumour.

It is expected that the BMC, as a public authority, would take the trouble to verify the facts from their own records, before BMC's PRO issues a statement claiming such facts to be a rumour.

Additionally, we look forward to your response to a number of questions that we have:

1. Why has the above letter dated 21.03.2017 addressed to the MoEF been removed from the BMC website?

2. Why are amenities being built on valuable real estate along the sea instead of other available areas, and why are only 10.04 hectares being reserved for recreational green space?

3. Why did the BMC begin work on such a massive and expensive public works project without prior public consultation?

4. What studies has the BMC conducted and on what basis has it been decided that the Coastal Road is the only solution to Mumbai's transportation challenges? How has the development of the Mumbai Metro Project and its estimated impact of reducing the number of trips by private vehicle factored into the BMC's planning and projections for the Coastal Road?

5. What are the traffic studies conducted or the plans made by the BMC to ensure decongestion and traffic management at disbursal roads? How will the four lanes of traffic from the Coastal Road in one direction merge into existing two lanes of traffic at places such as Bhulabhai Desai Road and Napean Sea Road, especially when these roads cannot be widened?

6. How is the Coastal Road project being funded? What is the justification for a 12,500 core expenditure for a road that will be used by a maximum of 300,000 persons per day when the majority of Mumbaikars travel by foot, bus and train?

7. The BMC's counsel argued in the High Court that environmental clearances were not necessary for the southern phase of the Coastal Road. On what basis were these permissions not required, and how has reclamation work begun without permissions?

8. How does the Coastal Road project taken into account the existing reality of flooding in low-lying areas like Napean Sea Road and Warden Road due to storm surges at high tide and intensive rainfall in a short span of time? And as Mumbai has huge swathes of low-lying land that's already prone to flooding, how will the Coastal Road project impact Mumbai's preparations for the future reality of climate change and rising sea levels?

We eagerly await your responses.

With concern,

Mumbai Citizens