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THE TIMES OF INDIA, MUMBAI | THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012
PROMENADES & PLAZAS | BEACHES | RIVERS & NULLAHS | MANGROVES, CREEKS & WETLANDS | LAKES, PONDS & TANKS | PARKS, GARDENS, RECREATION & PLAYGROUNDS
BeachesTIMES CITY
Linah Baliga | TNN
An ambitious plan to restorethe eroded Dadar beach to itsformer glory has been stut-tering ahead, with the statePublic Works Department
(PWD) currently testing the availabilityand suitability of sand at Mahim Bay. Ifsuitable, the sand would be transportedto help nourish 500 metres of beach fromChaityabhoomi to the mayor’s bungalow.If that pilot project is a success, then theentire 4-km stretch from Prabhadevi toHinduja Hospital, Mahim, would be re-vitalized.
The plans, however, are steeped in un-certainty and controversy, with govern-ment officials saying they are unsure ofthe cost of transporting top-sand to Dadarand some environmentalists saying thebeach is today dead because of reclama-tion at Bandra that should be reversed.
As it stands, erosion plagues the de-crepit Dadar beach, which is today moreof a garbage dump than a sandy shore.
Architect P K Das first gave birth tothe idea of using a Beach NourishmentPlan (BNP) in Dadar, when he gave Mha-da and then the BMC a BNP in the early2000s. The PWD is today working on a Rs15-to-20-crore Dadar-Prabhadevi plan,with Rs 5 crore expected from the civicbody and the rest from the state.
Last year, on May 15, the PWD’s coastalwing began a preliminary ‘trial bore’ studyat Mahim Bay to check the quality of sandthere. The boring was stopped in December2011 due to the code of conduct for the civicelections. The tests have been restarted andboring has been completed at six sites. Workis on at another 24.
“Before April 15, we will complete theboring and by April-end we will get thesoil investigation report, complete withthe type of sand available in Mahim Bay.
After further investigation, we will pre-pare a detailed report and give it to theBMC,” said Santosh Sawant, harbour en-gineer, PWD.
It is possible that the Mahim sand isfound suitable, but for aesthetic reasonsthe top layer will have to be brought fromelsewhere in the state. “If we have to buysand from outside, our total cost may goup to Rs 30 crore. If it’s too expensive, wewill find another alternative. So far, thisis the only solution,” said Sawant.
The PWD has appointed a local agency,Suryantak Constructions, which has a lab-oratory that specializes in subsoil investi-gations, to examine the sand at Mahim. TheBMC has already allocated Rs 25 lakh forthe trial bore investigation. A boring ma-chine is kept on a floating barge and drilledinto the subsoil. It then takes samples from5 to 25 m below the soil.
The report will also be sent to the Cen-tral Water Power and Research Stationin Pune for the design of geo-tubes forDadar beach. This high-volume dewa-tering system helps prevent coastal ero-sion. The 20-metre-long tubes, filled withsand, would be placed horizontal to thecoast about 100 metres from the com-pound walls of buildings. They wouldprotect the beach from erosion by cur-rents, and also allow only water to filterback to sea while the sand is trapped in thegeo-tube. The geo-tube would become rigidand elliptical. It would function like a tetra-pod, reducing wave pressure during hightide. It could take three to five years forDadar beach to be restored.
Sawant said the beach nourishmentwork will not be awarded to any privateagency. “The protection and nourishmentof that beach will be done by the coastal di-vision of the PWD. Also, CWPRS in Puneis a central government agency and has ex-perts in waterfronts,” said Sawant.
In Phase II, the PWD has plans to con-vert Dadar’s shoreline into a tourist at-traction, like at Juhu and Girgaum. Thereare plans to build a promenade or walkwayalong the periphery of the beach, with workbeing carried out by the civic body.
Meanwhile, residents are hoping thegovernment does a competent job. “Thegovernment has spent a huge amount in-stalling boulders in some pockets of thebeachfront, thereby making them inac-cessible. It has spoiled the look of theseafront. Why is the PWD allocating mon-ey in bits and installments? Every year,the BMC shells out Rs 75 lakh and appointscontractors to clean the stretch from Prab-hadevi to Mahim. The beach, however, con-tinues to resemble a garbage dump,” saidAshok Ravat of the Shivaji Park ALM.
We had submitted a report in 2002 pre-pared by Dr Z S Tarapore, ex-director
of Central Water Power and Research Station(CWPRS), who brought to our notice that sandcan be dredged from Mahim Bay. The final re-port by DHI Water and Environment, Copen-hagen, was submitted in 2003, confirming this.We spent Rs 25 lakh, through privately mobi-lized funds, for the study. Ironically, the PWDand BMC are now spending the same amountfor the same work.
Fugro Survey India Ltd and DHI Waterand Environment did the first deep-sea sur-vey (bathymetric study) and wave-patternstudy. After that, DHI did hydraulic and coastalstudies, wave modelling and hydro-dynamicmodelling to see the viability of beach nour-ishment. Now, the PWD report can formallyestablish if sand can be used from Mahim Bay.the sand would be dredged with a pump, laidalong Dadar beach and then the geo-tube tech-nology would be used. It’s only the top sand,needed for aesthetic purposes, that needs tobe brought from outside.
This BNP is environmentally sustainableand supportive. It doesn’t involve civil con-struction or construction of sea walls, whichare detrimental to coastal protection. It is alsocost-effective. It takes less time to implementa BNP as compared to civil construction meth-ods. Moreover, you’ll get a natural beach as apublic space at a location that was originallythe heart of Mumbai’s central district.
The cost of replenishing lost sand is smallwhen compared to the cost of repairing seawalls. We have given a calculation for re-plenishing the sand every three to five years.
BNP is used in most parts of Europe andthe United States. In India, INS Hamla (Marve),Dahanu beach and Vishakapatnam are ex-amples of beach nourishment. This isn’t anew science. In fact, many countries havebanned sea-wall construction for being envi-ronmentally detrimental. Nourishment re-es-tablishes the natural wave patterns and eco-
logical systems in whichsand is regenerated to
protect our coast. Soyou’re bringing natu-ral conditions back.
The MMRDA and MSRDC havealready killed the ecology of
Mahim Bay and Mahim Creek,which is an estuary of the Mithi Riv-er. The working pattern of the Mithihas been destroyed.
Before reclamation for the ap-proach to the sea link, the marineecosystem was full of life. Now, whenit is dead, they are talking of nour-ishment, which isn’t the right word.It is foolish of the PWD to try andbeautify a dead beach. From MahimCauseway to Bandra Land’s End alength of 2.25 km and width of three-quarter km was reclaimed. Theystarted in 1999 and stopped in 2002when residents complained.But eventually they finishedit in patches.
The approach to thesea link should have beena bridge, but it is a roadon reclamation. It wasrecommended in govern-ment reports that thereshould be in-situ conser-vation and not reclama-tion. There was the Paran-jape Committee report of1987, Central Institute ofFisheries Education reportof 1992 (submitted to MM-RDA), state MangroveCommittee report of 1993
(with NIO involvement); a centralgovernment Neeri study in 1994-96and a 1997 BNHS report for theUnion environment ministry.
Despite these reports, the stategovernment went ahead with recla-
mation. As a result, sand fromWorli to Mahim was wiped
out because the tide wasblocked from enteringMahim Creek and start-ed hitting with force else-where. At the same time,the Mithi River wasblocked from enteringthe Arabian Sea. Thesandy bed present forcenturies eroded. Theflushing of MahimCreek, which receives 80crore litres of sewage andchemicals a day, wasstopped. The creekturned into a toxic pond.
As per the topography and slope, thecreek moves towards Mahim Bayand the Arabian Sea. Dadar, Mahimand Prabhadevi beaches wereharmed. There was also loss of sta-bilization on the shore.
To make matters worse, someagency removed thousands of trucksof sand from the north side ofMahim Bay two years ago. Nobodyknows where they took the sand.
The solution is to go to the rootof the problem and remove the recla-mation from Mahim Causeway toLand’s End and build a bridge in-stead of a road. Sand deposition willreturn to its original form.
Also, if you bring in sand fromRatnagiri or Dahanu, you will de-prive their ecosystems. Sand isn’t adead material, it’s a life-form habi-tat. Beach nourishment will not helpfilter toxic elements and provide ahabitat for life forms.
Worldwide there are manyexamples of environ-
mentally friendly beaches andbeach nourishment done dueto erosion—like in Singapore,the United States and Europe.But the PWD should focus onwhat its purpose is—stabi-lization of the shore, beautifi-cation, recreation and/orpromenades. Stabilization
should be the first priority. Astudy on erosion and siltationshould also be conducted. thecauses of the erosion shouldbe carefully studied before go-ing ahead with any beach nour-ishment. All like-minded ex-perts dealing with environ-ment and oceanographyshould form a think tank andhelp plan this project.
Beach nourishment is nothing but recla-mation. So, if you reclaim somewhere,
repercussions will be felt elsewhere. Takethe case of the sea link’s approach road. Re-claiming the eroded area will only erodesome other beach. In Chennai, nourishment
was done at Marina beachand its repercussions
were felt in a fishing vil-lage that was a fewmiles away.
Our concern isthat whatever isdone should be done ina synchronized manner.
The right hand should know whatthe left hand is doing. They haveput boulders at some places andtetrapods in other places. Toovercome the high tide, someplaces have a retaining wall. So,what’s the bund for? We don’t wanta haphazard job. The citizens’opinions should be considered— Tasneem Shukul | G-NORTH CITIZENS’ FORUM
If we have to buy sand fromoutside, our cost may go up to Rs 30crore. If it’s too expensive, we’ll findanother alternative. So far, this(Mahim sand) is the only solution— Santosh Sawant | HARBOUR ENGINEER, PWD
RECLAIMING LEADSTO MORE PROBLEMS
NOURISHING BEACHIS SUSTAINABLE
First Steps Being Taken To Revitalize Coast, But Availability Of Sand, Uncertainty Of Cost & Environmental Concerns Plague Project
SHIVAJIPARK
STABILIZING SHORELINESHOULD BE FIRST PRIORITY
REVERSE RECLAMATION TO STOP DADAR EROSION
DEBATE: IS NOURISHMENT VIABLE?
Ashok Ravat,SHIVAJI PARK ALM
ACTIVIST
Shankar Gajbhiye, SCIENTIST IN-CHARGE, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF
OCEANOGRAPHY, MUMBAI
P K Das, ARCHITECT &WATERFRONT
RESTORATION EXPERT
Girish Raut,ENVIRONMENTAL
ACTIVIST AND
MAHIM RESIDENT
WHO CAMPAIGNED
AGAINST
RECLAMATION IN
BANDRA
Uma Kadam
HARD FACTS: The erosion at Dadar seaface has left practically no sand along the shores
Mahim Creek, throughwhich Mithi empties intoBay, was narrowed byreclamation, say activists
At present, due toreclamation, sewageand toxins from Mithicollect in the Bay anddon’t get flushed out,say activists
PWD is now testingsand in the Mahimseabed to check if it issuitable fortransporting to Dadarand Prabhadevi forbeach nourishment
Bandra-Worli Sea Link
If Mahim sand passestest, PWD will initiate
pilot project tonourish 500 metres of
beach fromChaityabhoomi tomayor’s bungalow
IS BEACH NOURISHMENT THE ANSWER TO CHECKING SAND EROSION ATTHE DADAR-PRABHADEVI BEACH? LINAH BALIGA FINDS OUTGenesis of the plan: Architect P K Das submitted aBeach Nourishment Plan (BNP) to the BMC for a 1.2-kmstretch of Dadar beach (Kirti College to HindujaHospital) which was approved in 2003. Das’s BNPproposed to restore the beach to a vital, public spaceand to check erosion. The plan: a) nourish, regenerateand expand the beach; b) redevelop existing approach
roads, gardens, hawkers’ stalls, steps, ramps and podia;c) provide public conveniences, general lighting andsecurity; and d) maintain cleanliness by extendingsewage outfalls and providing effective solid-wastemanagement.
Sand, comprising silt from Mithi River, would bedredged from Mahim Bay, washed and put on Dadar
beach. It would then be covered with a top layerimported from elsewhere in Maharashtra. The plan ispart of Das’s Open Mumbai exhibition, which is on atNGMA till April 7.
The Public Works Department (PWD) has beguntesting sand at Mahim, but PWD officials said importinga top layer for aesthetic reasons may be too expensive.
MITHI RIVERPOURS INTO
MAHIM CREEK
MAHIM
M A H I M B A Y
DADAR
HINDUJAHOSPITAL
C H A I T Y A B H O O M I
WORLI
MAYOR’SBUNGLOW
PRABHADEVI
BANDRA
� After sand is deposited at Dadar beach,GEO-TUBES filled with more sand fromMahim would be placed 100 metres frombuilding walls to protect shore & seabed� A geo-tube is made up of geo-textilepolypropylene, multi-woven fabric. It iscircular, measures 20 metres in lengthand has five holes� During high tide,seawater enters andleaves, but sand remains� This system was successfully used atINS Hamla, Marve
2.25-km road and promenadefrom Mahim Causeway toLand’s End, built on landreclaimed in the late 1990s.Environmental activists claimthis killed the ecology ofMahim Bay and Mahim Creekand the pattern of the Mithi.Government reports called forconservation not reclamation
Reclamation alongBandra has led to seaforcefully hitting theseafront from Mahimto Worli, speeding uperosion from beaches
and sea bed, sayenvironmentalists
DIGGING FOR SOLUTIONSl The Dadar-Prabhadevi beach is a 4kmstretch from Worli Village to Mahim fort.It covers an area of over 50,000 sq m
l The sandy beach has eroded, with mostparts rendered inaccessible
l Properties along the beach have beenexposed to high tide, so boulders havebeen dumped to halt erosion
l This affects public movement andadversely affects the coast
l It is being proposed that the beach berestored as a public space and erosion be checked
Source: P K Das & Associates
Tetrapods have been placedalong some parts of the coast tocounter the force of the waves
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If pilot project issuccessful, PWD will
attempt to nourish entire4-km Dadar-Prabhadevi
stretch
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REBUILDING
THE COAST
SANDS OF TIMESTRIPPED FROM
Dadar beach
AR
AB
I A NS E A
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Q. Will sand from Mahim help rebuild the Dadar-Prabhadevi stretch, or do the authoritiesneed to look at other options? Will the beachesdying along the bay ever be revived?
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TOI Interactive
The Phase-I revamp ofMarine Drive was
primarily structural andenabling in nature.Phase-II, estimated at Rs100 crore, is ambitiousand comprises all theaesthetic sections of thework which, whencompleted, will bevisible to all. However,the BMC needs tointeract with architectsand residents. Workmust start immediately.—Bikram Banerjea
Most buildings thatface the Marine
Drive wear a sorrowful
look as they have notbeen painted since long.The blame may lie with the salty air. —Mahavir Tewari
The state can spendas much as it wants
on parks and statues, tomake the Marine Drivemore attractive, butcitizens will just end uppainting the walls redwith paan spit and litterthe paths. It is a shamethat due to theignorance of a few, cities are deprived of aclean environment.— Karl Behramfram
We asked readers if the Marine Driverevamp lacks colour? Should the stateconsult with residents and begin work onPhase II of the project? Here are some of your replies:
‘WORK ON MARINE DRIVE BEAUTIFICATION’S PHASE-II MUST START’
Pics: Hemant Shirodkar
Graphic: Shailesh Warang
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