The proposed underground Kalbadevi Metro station will be shifted about 20 m away from the nearest boundary wall of the H. B. Wadia Atash Behram on Princess Street, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) informed the Supreme Court on January 28, 2019. The earlier location of the station was very close to the fire temple with an overlap of 2 m. According to a report in The Times of India (ToI) dated January 29, there has been no change in the alignment of the Metro line — its tunnel will continue to pass 3.5 m within the Atash Behram compound wall. The MMRCL has also committed that if there is a reduction in the water level in the well in the Atash Behram, they will recharge the ground water with the help of wells in the vicinity, noted the ToI report.
The pavement adjoining H. B. Wadia Atash Behram Photo: Khurshid Panthaki
MMRCL that is constructing the 33 km Colaba-SEEPZ line also told the Court that the relocation of Kalbadevi station has resulted in a need to modify the platforms by shifting them northwards.
To avoid any damage to the 188-year-old Atash Behram, "preference will be given to mechanical breaking of rock; however if unavoidable (necessary) controlled blasting may be resorted to,” stated MMRCL’s affidavit.
Petitioner Jamshed Sukhadwalla, who with five others was agitating the alignment of the Metro line, told the ToI that he was "pleased.” He added that the "problems created by some of our high priests in November 2017 have now been set right.” Senior jurist Fali Nariman and lawyer Zerick Dastur appeared on behalf of the petitioners.