Mumbai, Oct 30 Maharashtra Fisheries and Ports Development Minister Nitesh Rane on Friday dismissed media reports claiming 20 floating hoardings would be installed off the Mumbai coast, terming the information completely false and misleading.
Rane, in a post on X, clarified that only four hoardings were planned in total, of which two were existing structures near the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, and two were newly proposed installations.
He said that there was considerable misunderstanding and misinterpretation surrounding a tender floated by the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), which comes under his department.
“As the Minister for Ports and Chairman of MMB, I would like to put these facts on record. I am also a proud Mumbaikar, and would never support any initiative that compromises Mumbai’s marine environment or obstructs its beautiful waterfront views,” Rane said.
His clarification came a day after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray wrote to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking his intervention against “floating hoardings” in Mumbai’s seas, calling the decision to permit them highly irresponsible and warning that it would ruin the city’s aesthetics.
Rane said that the government was willing to engage with anyone seeking clarification and share all relevant information transparently.
“Let us not unnecessarily politicise this issue. The Devendra Fadnavis-led government is committed to both environmental responsibility and progressive development. The two must go hand in hand,” he added.
(PTI News)
