Carter Road Hoardings Tender On Hold Over CRZ Issue

Mumbai's Carter Road promenade has hit a roadblock with the tender for 35 LED hoardings being put on hold due to the absence of permission for commercial hoardings in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) area. The decision was made after Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar intervened, citing the lack of necessary permissions from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority.

The proposed hoardings were part of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, but Shelar's intervention has put the project in abeyance. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting attended by senior officials from the BMC, MSRDC, and MMB.

The meeting also discussed the need for a common policy framework for all promenades in Mumbai, as different agencies currently manage various stretches of the waterfront. Shelar directed the BMC to prepare uniform and comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all promenades, incorporating suggestions and objections from citizens.

The move to put the hoardings on hold comes after residents raised concerns over the commercialisation of promenades and its possible impact on environmental norms. Shelar emphasized that commercial activity and beautification of Mumbai's waterfront must not compromise environmental safeguards or inconvenience citizens.

The BMC has been asked to frame a common waterfront policy, which will lay down common rules and standards for all promenades. The policy will ensure that the development of promenades is done in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner.

Residents, including Furkan Shaikh, have welcomed the move to put the proposed hoardings on hold. However, they are demanding that the project be cancelled altogether and the Carter Road seafront be preserved as a public space. They are also calling for meaningful citizen participation in the formulation of the new policy governing such projects.

The development of Mumbai's waterfront is a complex issue, with multiple agencies involved and various stakeholders with different interests. The need for a common policy framework is evident, and the BMC's efforts to frame such a policy will be closely watched.

The decision to put the Carter Road hoardings on hold is a significant one, as it highlights the importance of environmental considerations and citizen participation in urban development projects. As Mumbai continues to grow and develop, it is essential that the city's waterfront is protected and preserved for future generations.

In conclusion, the Carter Road hoardings tender has been put on hold due to CRZ issues, and the BMC has been asked to frame a common waterfront policy. The development of Mumbai's waterfront is a complex issue, and the need for a common policy framework is evident. The city's residents will be closely watching the BMC's efforts to frame such a policy, and the outcome will have significant implications for the future of Mumbai's waterfront.