In the seventies, the Government of Maharashtra proposed to reclaim 100 acres of land and convert Malabar Hill into another Nariman Point. This project was opposed by a Peoples’ Movement. The movement was spearheaded by Save Mumbai Committee and Save Breach Candy Committee, led by leaders like Shri Rajani Patel, Shri R K Karnjia, Shri Kishan Mehta, Dr R H Dastur, Shri Murli Deora, Dr L H Hiranandani and Shri B A Desai. The Movement succeeded and the Government had to drop the plan. The Save Breach Candy Committee was converted into Malabar Hill Citizens Forum with Shri B A Desai as its President. 

In the meanwhile, a portion of the land was reclaimed. The Builders wanted to construct Skyscrapers on the said reclaimed land. Shri B A Desai, then MLA and Minister, opposed the Builders’ plans and wanted to preserve the land both at Napeansea Road and Bhulabhai Desai Road as Open Spaces, Gardens and Recreation Ground. As a result of this Peoples’ Movement, we now have Priyadarshini Park and Sports Complex, Tata Gardens, Amarsons Park and a proposed Children’s Park in our area. 

Once Again a need for People’s Movement!!

Shockingly, the Maharashtra Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is going ahead with a project, detrimental to the entire, and our so called Posh Area of South Mumbai.
                  
The MSRDC wants to destroy the entire ambience of the area and has come with a preposterous plan, to implement the Western Freeway, beyond Haji-Ali upto Nariman Point by digging a dangerous Malabar-Hill Tunnel. MSRDC also proposes Sea Bridge from Haji Ali to Priyadarshini Park just 100 mts away from Coastline obstructing Sunrise, Killing the Horizon and Polluting Sea Breeze with Poisonous and Emissions of Carbon Dioxide from Vehicular Traffic on the Sea Bridge.

The project also envisages to construct huge concrete ramps on the Priyadarshini Park itself, also at Bhulabhai Desai Road and one more at the Chowpatty Bandstand causing grave devastation, havoc, congestion, and pollution and environmental degradation to our so called Posh Area.

It is surprising that MSRDC, while appointing the Consultant to carry out the feasibility study for this project beyond Haji-Ali upto Nariman Point, has specifically excluded the option of a direct tunnel from Haji Ali to Nariman Point or upto Chowpatty, thereby at the threshold itself, preventing the Consultant from examining the said proposal and presenting us with a fait accompli of the dangerous Malabar Hill tunnel.

The citizens of entire Malabar Hill and the surrounding areas support the option of an underground tunnel from Haji Ali to Chowpatty Bandstand and beyond!

We have to stop the sinister project by organizing a Peoples’ Movement.
 
As a first step, Mr Milind Deora, M P, had written a letter to the Chief Minister, opposing this plan of ruining the ambience and digging Malabar Hill tunnel and also destroying the prestigious Priyadarshini Park.
                            
Shri B A Desai, Former Urban Development Minister, Former Additional Solicitor General of India, four times MLA and Corporator from Malabar Hill Area, has also written a letter to the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the Public Works Minister Dr (Mrs) Vimlatai  Mundra, voicing our concerns.    

 Shri Bitu Saigal, an environmentalist and Shri Kantibhai Shah, of the Priyadarshini Parivar and others have filed a petition in the Mumbai High Court.  The said petition, opposing the Sea-Link, is coming up for hearing on 26th of February, 2009. 

We are sure that you, as a resident of the area, wish to prevent this disastrous plan. Please express solidarity with this People’s Movement by signing Our Online Petition. You may also sign the Written Petition placed at Site Office of the Priyadarshini Park and Sports Complex.

Should you require detailed information about the petition pending in the High Court filed by Shri Bitu Saigal, kindly view the same at www.susiiebenshah.com

We look forward to your support, to save our Area from an Environmental and Traffic Disaster.

Should you require more information on the subject do call me on   +91 9821228125.

With personal regards,

Susiieben Shah
General Secretary, Priyadarshini Park
Member, State Women’s Commission