Mumbai Residents and Activists Oppose Hoardings on Coastal Road

In response to growing concerns from South Mumbai residents regarding the proposed installation of hoardings along the coastal road, environmental activists Zoru Bhathena and Stalin D have formally objected to the plans. They have sent a letter to the municipal commissioner, emphasizing the need to comply with existing laws and Supreme Court directives, and calling for a halt to any hoarding installations. Bhathena highlighted that the Coastal Road is intended as a green public space, free from commercial exploitation, and noted that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has not received permission for such installations. The activists referenced a Supreme Court order from 2019 that prohibits the BMC from undertaking development work in the area. They also pointed out that, according to Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules, reclaimed land is designated solely for public use, disallowing commercial activities. Their letter urged the BMC to respect these legal restrictions and the Supreme Court's orders. An online petition initiated by Rajesh Dahiya, a member of the Breach Candy Residents Forum, has gained significant traction, amassing over 6,000 signatures within a week. A civic official clarified that while no hoardings have been proposed for the reclaimed land, four hoardings approved for Tata Garden are under scrutiny due to their location within Coastal Regulation Zone-2. In light of these developments, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray has called for the cancellation of the contract related to the hoardings, further intensifying the debate over the future of the coastal road.