Env Min defers proposal to dredge ocean floor, port likely to be delayed

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority had sought an amendment in the project’s Terms of Reference (ToR)

First India Bureau

Mumbai: In a major development that could delay the implementation of the proposed Vadhavan Port in Palghar, the Union environment ministry has deferred a proposal by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) seeking an amendment in Terms of Reference (ToR) for the project.

This development comes to light just a few days prior to a hearing of the Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Authority (DTEPA) on February 13, when the quasi-judicial body is expected to deliver a ruling on the permissibility of the port.

In a meeting of the MoEFCC’s Expert Appraisal Committee

(EAC) on ports and harbours on January 12, it was noted that “the instant proposal cannot be considered... as (its) entire scope and configuration has changed.”

This has brought

Court relief for Mum ex-mayor Pednekar

Mumbai: A sessions court that last Monday granted protection from arrest to former city mayor and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Kishori

Pednekar in a case concerning fraudulently acquiring Slum Redevelopment Authority (SRA) flats, has said in its detailed order that there is no reason for the police to take her into custody.

The court noted that the flats are already in SRA’s custody and the rest of the probe can be conducted by documents and recording statements of witnesses. It said that prima facie it appears that the stakeholders concerned have given flats to Pednekar on leave and license. It also noted that as per Pednekar’s claim, the building had completed 10 years in 2017 and hence there was no question of violation of SRA rules. As per the SRA rules, flat owners are not supposed to rent out the properties for at least 10 years from the date of allotment. some relief to locals and environmentalists who have been campaigning against the project. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has now been instructed by the Centre to revise their pre- feasibility report (PFR) for Vadhavan Port to include its “current scope of the work”, which the EAC will review “so that additional ToRs can be considered for the project in due course.”

Surya Regional Water project finishing soon

First India Bureau Mumbai: The Surya Regional Water Supply Scheme is on the verge of completion, this project would come as a relief to Vasai-Virar residents who have been facing water issues. Water will be supplied to the VasaiVirar City Municipal Corporation as part of the 185 MLD first phase of this project under which testing, trial run and the commissioning of the scheme will take place in March 2023. The project is proposed to be completed in two phases of 185 and 218

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MLD capacity.

“The Surya project is an ambitious project of MMRDA because, apart from developing infrastructure, MMRDA is setting up its first water supply project for the western sub-region. The VasaiVirar Municipal Corporation will be getting water through the Phase 1 of the scheme this year. On the other hand, water will be provided to the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation under the 218 MLD second phase in the coming months,” said Metropolitan Commissioner SVR Srinivas.

‘SBSP to tie-up with Uddhav-led

Sena for upcoming BMC election’

First India Bureau

Ballia: SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar on Wednesday said he will contest the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections in alliance with the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray). He said he met Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai two days ago.

“The meeting, which lasted for about oneand-a-half hours, was positive. Discussions were held with Thackeray regarding the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections to be held in

Maharashtra,” Rajbhar said.

He claimed that Thackeray agreed to contest the polls in alliance with the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP). The Brihanmumbai Municipal

Corporation has 227 seats. It is currently under an administrator as the five-year term of its elected representatives ended early last year and fresh polls are due.

Asked whether he would forge an alliance with the Shiv Sena for elections in Uttar Pradesh, Rajbhar said the Shiv Sena has no party base in the northern state. On the controversy regarding Ramcharitmanas, the SBSP president exuded confidence that the Samajwadi Party (SP) will not gain anything from the row.

“The Samajwadi Party will not get anything through Swami Prasad Maurya. Maurya is not a mass leader. Had he been so, he would not have tasted defeat in the assembly elections,” he claimed.