Monday, November 19, 2012

Budget puts road plans in top gear

Budget puts road plans in top gear


Ashley D’Mello & Chittaranjan Tembhekar, TNN Jul 7, 2009, 04.05am IST


MUMBAI: With the 2009 budget pouring 87% more funds into the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) several important projects that can improve road connectivity for Mumbaikars are set to receive a boost. Projects under JNNURM get 35% of the project's cost as a grant from the Centre, with the remaining amount coming from state and local bodies.
Mumbai Trans Harbour Link
Top bureaucrats say the proposed 22-km link, which would connect Sewri to Nhava over Thane creek, could be a major beneficiary even though it is not yet under the JNNURM.

"The Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) of the central government has given its consent to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to take up the trans harbour link under the JNNURM,'' said MSRDC managing director Satish Gavai, who called the development "positive''. "Now we can move an application to seek over Rs 2,200 crore in assistance from the Centre for the link,'' said Gavai.

Ashwini Bhide, joint commissioner of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which would receive the funds for the Rs 7,000-crore project and forward them to the MSRDC, said, "We will work out the share and bid documents so that they can be forwarded to the DEA for final approval.''
After it failed to receive contract bids for the Sewri-Nhava project in March, the MMRDA decided to develop the link through private participation, for which central and state assistance is needed. Principal secretary (urban development) T C Benjamin confirmed that Rs 2,275 crore would be sought.
Eastern Freeway
The freeway will prove a boon for motorists going between Fort and Chembur. Coming under JNNURM is the 10-km portion stretching between Panjrapole, near Vadala, and Fort. The road will mostly run along the Mumbai Port Trust Road and includes an elevated road.
The project was stuck for some time as permission from port authorities was not forthcoming. They believed that freight traffic would be delayed if the road was opened up. Ultimately, it was decided to have an elevated road.
The remaining section, from Panjrapole to the Chembur-Mankhurd Link Road, will be 2.5 km long.
Elevated Bridge
The 2-km bridge will be a boon for people travelling to and from the airport. The current road, Sahar airport road, was recently widened, but increased traffic is expected in the next few years. Before the widening, there were severe bottlenecks along the stretch. "The overbridge is expected to take care of the increased traffic in the future,'' said MMRDA joint project director Dilip Kawathkar.
Kawathkar added that the boost to JNNURM funds could bring in money for more projects as the Centre is keen on improving Mumbai's infrastructure. The extra funds allocated to JNNURM will make it easier to obtain funding now, he said.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-07-07/mumbai/28153480_1_msrdc-jnnurm-road-connectivity

Citizens Demand That Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd Metro Rail Be Underground


Citizens Demand That Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd Metro Rail Be Underground

Posted by  on April 3, 2009

Most of citizens who will be effected by the Rs 8,200 crore Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd Metro Rail elevated corridor are demanding that this rail corridor must go underground too, to avoid displacement of people and property.
Sherley Singh, secretary of Juhu Scheme Residential Association , said “The aim of any project is to provide better transport system and improve citizens’ life standards. But if there is an elevated rail, it would cause lot of problems to the people. There should be underground rail . We would move the court and file Public Interest Litigation if our all attempts to convince MMRDA fail,”
 If the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) does not give in to their demands, they would move the court, said the citizens adding that they had even submitted an alternate plan to the agency.
Demanding an immediate stay on 27-km long elevated corridor, P K Das, an architect said, “The MMRDA should carry out a feasibility study for underground Metro rail and consider alternate proposal submitted by the citizens. The officials should also consider opinions of the citizens who are being affected by such proposals before taking any decision.”
S L Dhingra, professor in IIT Bombay, said that the cost of the project may double but a huge inconvenience can be prevented.
“Cost will be high for the entire underground rail route. But we should think about long-term benefits rather than short-term interests,” Dhingra said.
Demonstrations and protests will also be held if the MMRDA continues with its elevated rail plan, said Shyama Kulkarni, chairman of H/W civic ward citizens association.
MMRDA Joint Project Director Dilip Kawathkar told a news agency that they would study the alternate plan of the citizens and accordingly take appropriate decision.
“But if their demands are considered the project may be delayed by a few years. In fact elevated corridor plan was suggested by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.”
“The project aim is to provide maximum benefits to the public. If they are facing any problem we will surely look into it,” he added.

http://news.inchembur.com/2009/04/03/citizens-demand-that-charkop-bandra-mankhurd-metro-rail-be-underground/

Metro Update : MMRDA In NO MOOD for Changes


Metro Update : MMRDA In NO MOOD for Changes

Skywalks realigned to clear path for monorail project


Skywalks realigned to clear path for monorail project


PrashantRangnekar : Mumbai, Sun Jul 12 2009


It was decided to realign skywalks at Mahalaxmi, Sewri and Lower Parel as the monorail passes through these places
The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) has realigned three planned skywalks and scrapped one to make way for the country’s first monorail.
These skywalks were obstructing the route of the monorail and MMRDA had no option but give the mass transportation project priority over the skywalks.
“Monorail is a big project as compared to the skywalk. When we found that some skywalks were obstructing the monorail, we decided to realign them,” said Lt Colonel A Pahal, additional chief engineer of the MMRDA who is looking after the skywalk projects in the MMR.
According to officials, after a series of meetings, it was decided to realign skywalks at Mahalaxmi, Sewri and Lower Parel as the monorail passes through these four places.
Of the two proposed and sanctioned skywalks at Wadala, one was cancelled. The infrastructure agency is currently constructing 48 skywalks across the MMR.
A portion of the seven-part skywalk at Mahalaxmi, which was to come up on the Keshavrao Khade Mar at Mahalaxmi was also scrapped. The skywalk’s length, which was 1,600 metre earlier, has now been reduced to 1,000 metre. “Three parts of this skywalk had to be scrapped as they were in the way of the monorail,” said Pahal.
Similarly, the patch on the Bhatankar road at Lower Parel outside the station was also realigned as it was obstructing the monorail’s path. The Sewri skywalk was also realigned at the RAK Marg.”
At Wadala, the MMRDA scrapped one of the two skywalks. “We had to scrap a skywalk at D S Berato road at Wadala as it would have obstructed the rail path,” added Pahal.
“The process of realigning the skywalks was easy as one agency was undertaking two different projects. Had there been any other agency, it would have delayed the monorail project,” said an MMRDA official.
The MMRDA is constructing the country’s first monorail from Jacob Circle to Chembur via Wadala at a cost of Rs 2,460. The first phase of this corridor (from Chembur to Wadala) has to be completed in November 2010 and the rest (from Wadala to Jacob Circle) by April 2011.
Work is currently on at five places — Saibaba Road, Mint Colony, Wadala, Bhakti Park and R C Marg.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/skywalks-realigned-to-clear-path-for-monorail-project/488285/1
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/skywalks-realigned-to-clear-path-for-monorail-project/488285/2

Monorail work gathers steam


Monorail work gathers steam


Ashley D'Mello, TNN Sep 20, 2009, 05.31am IST

MUMBAI: Work on the Rs 2,460-crore monorail project is steaming ahead. Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) officials said that work along most of the route- Jacobs Circle-Wadala-Chembur-will now begin as the traffic police have given the go ahead.
"Permissions are needed from the traffic cops as work on the ground entails blocking off parts of the road and this in turn causes jams. So far, work had been in progress only along a 5-km route as the permissions had not been obtained for the rest of the track. Now, work will begin on 19 km of the track,'' said an MMRDA official.

Head of the transport planning division of the MMRDA, P R K Murthy, said the project is developing well and should be complete by its December 2010 deadline.
"Unlike the Metro rail project, the monorail project is much smaller and its implementation will not mean large scale dislocation of people and structures,' said joint project director of MMRDA, Dilip Kawathkar." The monorail project aims to benefit the section of the populace that is not being served effectively by existing modes of transport, said Kawathkar. The monorail route will supplement the suburban rail and the new Metro rail network.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-20/mumbai/28080220_1_monorail-project-monorail-route-metro-rail-project

SCLR late due to delayed rehab


SCLR late due to delayed rehab



Posted by  on April 28, 2009



The 13 buildings of MHADA at New Tilak Nagar fall right in the middle of the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) that is being constructed. Of 260 tenants in these buildings , around 100 have signed the MoU, the rest demand more time to vacate buildings
Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority(MMRDA)has come under criticism from the World Bank over the pace of the construction of SCLR….delay being mainly due to the rehabilitation procedures.
According to MMRDA, of the 260 tenants, around 100 tenants have signed the memorandum of understanding and agreed to vacate the premises. But the remaining tenants are demanding more time.
http://news.inchembur.com/2009/04/28/sclr-late-due-to-delayed-rehab/

The last hurdle for SCLR will be resolved by this weekend.


The last hurdle for SCLR will be resolved by this weekend.

Posted by  on November 3, 2009


Only 40 per cent of the link road is complete. The link road was supposed to be complete in 2008. Now the new deadline is May 2011.
The last hurdle for the much-delayed Santacruz-Chembur Link Road will be resolved by this weekend.The 164 families living in 13 Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) buildings at Tilak Nagar near Kurla will pave the way for the road.
They will sign memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) between November to 4 to 6.
Once the MoUs are signed, the MMRDA will be able to go ahead with the demolition of these buildings that come along the alignment of the link road.
“There was a misunderstanding as we were waiting for the MMRDA to call us and tell us the schedule,” said P. Raman, representing the tenants.
“Now everything has been cleared and we will be going in three groups on these three days,” he added.
The residents were to sign MoUs on October 29 but no one turned up.
“We had readied everything, including the demand draft for each flat owner, but they didn’t turn up. Now the process will restart,” said a MMRDA official involved in rehabilitating these project-affected people.
Each low-income group flat owner will get Rs 2,64,000 and middle-income group tenants will get Rs 3,36,000.
The displaced residents will be given alternate houses in the nearest MHADA building.
“They will be vacated as per the high court order,” said Dilip Kawatkhar, spokesperson for MMRDA.
Ninety-six residents of the same buildings have signed MoUs with MMRDA.

http://news.inchembur.com/2009/11/03/the-last-hurdle-for-sclr-will-be-resolved-by-this-weekend/

Chembur Skywalk is now paritially open on the west side


Chembur Skywalk is now paritially open on the west side


Posted by  on December 22, 2009 in Local News 
As reported in http://www.accommodationtimes.com

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has thrown open one more skywalk partly at Chembur. The 80-meter long and 4-meter wide arm of the skywalk runs between the two existing FOBs at Chembur-W.
“The Authority will open the remaining 150-meter long arm of the Chembur skywalk in May 2010 as the work on the same has started recently after getting the required permission from the railway authorities, which came about a bit late”, said Ms.Ashwini Bhide, Joint Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA.
The cost for the entire skywalk, being constructed by M/s. Prime Engineering, is rupees 5.92 crores.
The MMRDA has, till today, fully thrown open three skywalks at Bandra-E, Bandra-E extension up to Bandra Court and Kanjurmarg. The Authority has also already partly opened five more skywalks at Mira Road-E, Dahisar-W, Badlapur-W, Borivli-W and Ulhasnagar-W.
The MMRDA is planning to construct in all 51 skywalks in the city of Mumbai and it’s Metropolitan Region.

http://news.inchembur.com/2009/12/22/chembur-skywalk-is-now-paritially-open-on-the-west-side/

Friday, November 16, 2012

ALM raise Rs 3 lakh for pre-monsoon clean up

ALM raise Rs 3 lakh for pre-monsoon clean up

Date:  2006-5-18


he drains being cleared in JVPD. The work is being carried out from Mithibai to Chandan cinemaJVPD residents seem to have learnt their lesson from last years deluge which had affected their area the most in the suburb.

They are no longer waiting for the BMC to clean their nallahs and clear debris from the road, they are doing it themselves.

The JVPD north central (5-10th Road) ALM members have raised Rs 3 lakh from the JVPD Housing Association for the pre-monsoon clean up.

Sherly Singh, a member of the ALM, says, Last year JVPD residents had suffered the most after 26/7, so this year we decided that instead of waiting for the BMC to do the work, we will get it done ourselves.
Our agenda includes the cleaning of storm water drains and gutters, picking up rubble on the road and applying medicinal paint to trees. The work commenced on April 20 and is half done.

During the deluge we suffered the most, so we decided to do the work on our own Sherly Singh, JVPD north central ALM memberThe members approached the JVPD Housing Association (comprises 14 housing societies in the area) to fund the project for their respective roads.
Harit Desai, a member of JVPD Association says, When the ALM approached us we liked their idea, however, we asked them to ensure that the work was done all over JVPD instead of just their roads.

While the Association decided to fund the clearing of the drains and debris, the ALM members are paying for painting the trees.

A contractor has been hired to do the work starting from Mithibai College to Chandan Cinema, he adds.

Kevin Shah, another ALM member says, Since the work is taking place all over JVPD we have divided it into different zones, with members from respective areas supervising the work.

Residents get 2,000 trees treated for pest control

The trees have been painted with lime to protect them from white antsApart from the cleaning up, the ALM members are also spending money from their own pocket to paint the trees with lime and gheru to protect them from insects and parasites.

Sameer Joshi, an ALM member says, We are getting the trees painted to protect them from white ants. There are over 2,000 trees in the area, and I have spent almost Rs 10,000 on them already. The other members are also pooling in. The total cost will come up to Rs 40,000-50,000.

The residents efforts are commendable: BMC
K-west ward officer Sunil Dhamne says, I think the JVPD residents are doing a great job and are in fact helping the MCGM. We have checked up on the work being done by them and I commend them for the initiative they have taken.

Zero garbage next on ALMs agenda

And as if all this work wasnt keeping them busy enough, ALM members are already thinking of other projects. Says Joshi, We want to make the area a zero garbage zone and are sending people mailers for the same. Also, we plan to get together with the JVPD Housing Association to beautify the area and get rid of encroachments.

You can contact the ALM at jvpdalm@yahoo.com
divya.verma@mid-day.com

BMCs monsoon preparations

As part of the pre-monsoon preparations, the BMC has already started desilting major and minor nallahs, clearing of storm water drains and completing roadwork.

50 per cent drains cleared
Dhamne says, Work is being done in major nallahs like Irla, Abhishek, Mogra and various others. After a compete review we found that 50 per cent of the work was done. There are 21 minor nallahs and a large number of them have been cleared; the rest will be done by May 31.
As for the storm water drains, the BMC says that out of the 317 km of drains, only 100 km remains to be cleared and will be completed before June 10.

Roadwork will be complete by June

We have completed the survey of potholes that need to be filled and the work on minor roads is already being carried out by BMC workers.

Bad patches and potholes on the main road are being attended to by contractors under the supervision of the assistant engineer from BMCs maintenance department. The roadwork will be competed before the onset of monsoon, says Dhamne.

http://www.mid-day.com/metro/2006/may/137520.htm

Sanjay Nirupam proposes revival Mumbai lakes to reduce water crisis


Sanjay Nirupam proposes revival Mumbai lakes to reduce water crisis

Published: Monday, Jan 11, 2010, 21:49 IST 
Place: Mumbai | Agency: PTI


Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam along with a city-based NGO today proposed a plan to revive six lakes as a measure to resolve water crisis in the city.
Raichel Joseph Foundation along with Nirupam today met additional municipal commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar with a plan to revive six lakes in the western suburbs as a pilot project.
"We will be taking up six lakes and reviving them in a way that water from those lakes can be utilised by the surrounding areas. 
Also, a method should be devised to connect rainwater harvesting systems from surrounding areas to the lake, so that fresh water enters the lake," Nirupam said.
The six lakes in western suburbs for revival to supply non-potable water include Pancharangi bhujal Talav (Malad), Lotus lake (Malad), Malad Marve Road Lake (Malad), Charkop Talav (Kandivali), Eksar Lake (Borivali) and Gaothan Talav, Madh Gaon.
"Compared to any other constituency in Mumbai, north-west constituency has maximum number (around 20) of lakes and ponds. Many of which are used for immersion of Lord Ganesh and due to negligence lakes are in bad condition," Sherley Singh, a Juhu based activist said.
"We are open for this type of idea as the plan looks interesting. We will consider it. We will first have to establish a lake re-development policy and consider the logistics that will be required by the civic body to draw the lake water and supply it to the consumers," said Mhaiskar.
There has been encroachment around the lakes, debris dumping activity in lakes has increased and due to all this health of all those living in and around the waterway, is considerably affected, Singh said.
Revival of each lake is likely to cost about Rs2 to 4 crore. We plan to get some corporate NGOs on board and get their funds and expertise to revive the lake, she said.

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_sanjay-nirupam-proposes-revival-mumbai-lakes-to-reduce-water-crisis_1333657

NGO, corporates join hands to revive 6 city lakes


NGO, corporates join hands to revive 6 city
lakes


Thursday, November 15, 2012
Bhavika Jain, Hindustan Times
Mumbai, January 12, 2010


With the municipal corporation looking for alternate sources of water, a non-governmental organisation
(NGO) has come forward with a plan that can minimise, to a certain level, the unprecedented water crisis the
city is facing. NGO RaichelJoseph Foundation has put a proposal before the BrihanmumbaiMunicipal
Corporation (BMC) for the revival ofsix lakes in north Mumbai through corporate funding.

A delegation led by Member of Parliament Sanjay Nirupam and the foundation’s trustee Sherley Singh met
AdditionalMunicipalCommissioner in-charge of western suburbs, Manisha Mhaiskar, on Monday to discuss
the plan.

The six lakes are PancharangiBhujal Talao in Malad, Lotus lake on Malad-Marve road, Charkop Talao,
Eksar lake in Borivli, a lake on Malad-Marve road and the Gaothan Talao in Madhgaon. Currently these
lakes are either dying or have been dumped with debris or are badly managed.
“There are about 170 lakes across the city, we will begin with these six on a pilot basis and then move on to
the others,” said Singh.

BMC will have to formulate a law so that private parties can take over the lakes for developing them and then
hand them back to the various agencies that own them.
The revival is planned phasewise — the cleaning, widening and desilting is the first step, creating percolation
pits and connecting rainwater harvesting plants from the vicinity to the lakes and beautification will be done in
later stages. The whole process will be completed in three to four months.

The cost of reviving a lake will be between Rs 2-5 crore, depending on its area and the technology used. For
this, a No-Objection Certificate will be required from various agencies.
“A lot of corporate parties have come forward to fund the revival and we are helping them with getting
permissions from different agencies,” said Nirupam.

These corporates will be given advertising space on the premises of the lakes.
“To begin with, the proposal looks to be feasible, but the modalities will have to be worked out,” said
Mhaiskar.
The water from these lakes will be used for non-potable purpose. More than 75 per cent of the city’s water
needs are for non-potable purposes.11/16/1N2GO, corporates join hands to rev iv e 6 city lakes - Hindustan Times

“There are many water bodies that can be revived. Though the ownership of the lakes is with different
agencies, things will be worked out,” said Suburban Collector Vishwas Patil.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/print/496439.aspx


Juhu locals plan to revive 63-acre lake

Juhu locals plan to revive 63-acre lake

Bhavika Jain
Mumbai, January 17, 2010

The Juhu lake, spread across 63 acre, is expected to meet the water needs of 50,000 residents if revived. Some residents from the area have been trying to revive the lake for some years, but with the municipal corporation encouraging use of alternative sources to meet the water crisis, heir effort has received an impetus.
The residents held a meeting with Member of Parliament Gurudas Kamat and suburban collector Vishwas Patil at the Kamala Raheja Park in Juhu on Saturday.
“The plan is to restore the 40 acre of the unencroached lake so that it would help sail through the water crisis in the future,” said Siddharth Dhanwant Shanghvi, an author and Juhu resident.
About 23 acre of the lake has been encroached upon.
The plan is to save the lake from being further encroached by constructing a boundary wall and creating a catchment area for the rainwater to flow into the lake. “We have identified 103 water bodies over the last three years, which can be revived to serve as alternate water sources. The Juhu lake is one of them,” said Patil.
The residents have written to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), which owns the lake, for restoring it. The AAI is yet to reply, Patil added.
“The AAI thinks that if the lake is restored, the water will seep in on the runway, but if its dredged deeper, then no such seepage will occur,” said an official requesting anonymity.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Juhu-locals-plan-to-revive-63-acre-lake/Article1-498390.aspx

Will this fly?

Will this fly?


By: Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi
Date:  2010-01-24
Place: Mumbai

A lake on an Airport Authorities-owned land in Juhu is being dismissed as a nullah and may soon become extinct. Citizens trying to save it say it can meet the water needs of 5,000 households
Yo, Mumbai, we got a problem. Water. Either there's too much (July 2005, 994 mm) or there just isn't enough to go around (Mumbai gets 3,350 million litres daily but demand is on the lines of 4100 liters). An extremely rude friend said that since our politicians -- and their policies -- stink they might as well quit having a shower. 

Although this might marginally aid the problem, the real solution lies in not only reducing consumption but also creating alternate water supplies.

Suburban Mumbai has 102 lakes. I know you're thinking: But I ain't seen one of them! Well, if you're not going to pitch in and help then chances are you never will. Now check out the photo accompanying this article -- that's Juhu Lake. Neat, huh? Some NGO experts believe it's the second largest sweet water body in the city after Powai Lake. Juhu Lake is spread over green zone land tied to Airport Authorities of India. One side of this lake is a slum, Nehru Nagar. On two opposing sides are giant parking lots, created to pen the cars of the rich, guests frequenting local five star hotels. Juhu Lake, oddly enough, is as much a metaphor of Indian modernity as much its reality: book ended between the obscenely rich and the absurdly indigent, every year this enormous beauty shrinks silently.

But saving this lake is not about notching up a few environment gold stars. It's about saving our own behind.  

First, Juhu Lake has historically worked as a catchment for excess water. No lake, and Juhu floods. Second, we have a severe water shortage. Dr Umesh Mundlye, who's done commendable research on Juhu Lake, finds that if the lake, presently 4-6 feet deep, spread over 40 acres, is desilted, the water treated, its depth increased then it could serve the secondary water requirements of over 5,000 households. 

During his research, Dr Mundlye noticed a giant pump directed lake water into the slum! Now if Nehru Nagar can meet its water needs through the Lake then why can't parts of Juhu do the same? 

Juhu Lake has been served well by the NGO Members of the Brotherhood, which works to preserve lakes in Mumbai. In addition, Juhu Lake has its champions in community activists like Sherley Singh and Anand Desai. 

Around a week ago, I met with the quite cool MP Gurudas Kamat. From the terrace of my building he could see the full, mind-blowing expanse of the lake. At this same meeting were local politicos and BMC officials, some of whom assured me the lake was only a 'nullah'. Now, look at the picture -- does that look like a nullah? The argument was: it works as a storm drain. Well, I'd counter that and say that we free sewage into the sea. Does that make the sea a giant nullah? Water bodies are not defined by what human beings let into them but by what they are inherently. Get a grip, guys. Don't stash open land for a perverse and lucrative expansion of slums. If you did a real job, we'd all get out on the streets and vote. And then you wouldn't need a vote bank that relies on the exploitation of the destitute.

But as honourable MP Gurudas Kamat pointed out -- the land belongs to AAI. Why'd they give it up? For starters, the land is a green zone -- development is a no-no unless zoning is reversed. It's also been a lake for 50 years -- why should the community give up a lake that works as a catchment for much of Juhu and parts of Santacruz? Yes, AAI should expand if need be. But the genius of planning well would allow them to put up runways in such a way that the lake could also be preserved. Right now, the AAI runway floods during the rains. They fear a lake would augment flooding. But this logic is counter-intuitive. If the lake was dredged, its depth increased, the water would not flood their runaway (and a lake with increased depth would help catch more rain in flood-prone Juhu).

So what's next? I spoke with Suburban Land Collector (and bestselling Marathi novelist) Vishwas Patil, who assured official help to enable AAI to build a wall around Nehru Nagar. A wall is crucial -- it prevents further encroachment (Praful Patel, hope you're reading, this is good news for you and AAI). Second, AAI must meet with community activists to help plan the preservation of this lake. We're not here to tell AAI what to do with their land. We only request them to save an existing lake whose water supply could benefit thousands of locals. During a water crisis that's only getting worse, saving Juhu Lake would establish a precedent for the 101 other lakes in our city. Third, funding for desilting the lake through MP funds and private donors.

Above all, Juhu Lake is a thing of beauty. Looking at it fills me with inspiration, and gratitude to be alive in this city. But this lake, home to cormorants and water tulips, catfish and crabs, is also your lake. Save it. Because what you leave behind for your children is also the greatest gift you can give yourself. 

Sweet gone sour
The Mithi river, which originates from the overflow of the Vihar Lake and also carries excessive water from Powai Lake, meets the Arabian Sea at Mahim Creek. Due to the presence of slums at its banks, it has become filthy


http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/jan/240110-juhu-lake-airport-authorities-land.htm