Important environmental


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 1.2.2 Important environmental/ecological features along the alignment

The expressway alignment from Section I to Section VI i.e. from Panvel bypass to Pune westerly bypass, pass through different type of terrain, and varying environmental features. The important environmental features along the entire alignment are given in Table 2.

 Table 2. Environmental features along the alignment

 S. No. Environmental features and landuse Section I & II (27.57 km) Section III & IV(15.13 km) Section V & VI(43.74 km)
1 Length passing through types of terrain (km) (Panvel bypass to Sanjagaon) (Sanjagaon to Kurwanda) Kurwanda to Pune Westerly bypass
  - Plain 25.50 2.10 36.49
  - Hilly 2.24 13.03 7.25
2 Length passing through various areas (km)      
  - Forest - 7.53 0.30
  - Agricultural and grazing lands - 7.60 42.44
  - Residential - - -
  - Industrial (Isolated Unit) - -
  - Wet lands - - -
  - Mines - - -
3 Number of human settlements      
   - Towns - 2 1
  - Villages 39 5 19
4 Industrial areas (within 10 km) Panvel, Rasayanj, Khopoli - Telegaon Pimpri- Chinchwada
5 Water Bodies (within 10 km) Panvel and Patalganga rivers. Lonavale Lake, Valvan dam, Indrayani river. -
6 River Basins through which the alignment passes Patalganga river Indrayani, Ulhas, Pauna, Amba -
7 Ecologically sensitive areas      
  - Mangroves   - -
  - Fisheries   Pauna lake -
  - Forest -
  - Endangered species - Giant squirrel and Mouse deer -
  - National Park Sanctuaries Karnala (8 km away from express way) - -
8 Places of importance      
  - Archaeological - - -
  - Tourist centre Madh temple Duke’s nose, Rajamachi point. Karla caves, Lohgad Fort
  - Hill and health resorts - Lonavale -
9 Defence Installations - INS Shivaji (Naval Base) -
10 Geologically sensitive areas  Panvel Flexure Prone to landslides -

 (Source: RITES & SWK, 1995)