SEWRI-NHAVA-SHEVA INDIA’S FIRST TRANS HARBOUR BRIDGE

Returning from USA he undertook detailed study of the development regulations and development plan of Greater Mumbai. The very First DP of Mumbai published in 1967 was under implementation and in 1980’s the draft document for next DP was under preparation. While studying the same he was surprised to find that there was hardly any mention of linking Island city (South Mumbai) with the mainland across the ocean. In his opinion such a large city like Mumbai which was expected to touch the population figure of 12 million by 2001, linking the island city (where the central business district is located) with the mainland separated by a mere 7-9 kms was very vital and the DP of Mumbai ought to have included this as an important aspect of development plan of Mumbai. On account of his back ground and in depth study of draft document of proposed DP with PEATA the representative body of Practicing Engineers, Architects and Town Planners Association invited him to Chair the Development Plan Sub-committee on behalf of the Association during the period 1983-93. With a view to highlight the priority of Trans-harbour links of island city with main road, he wrote extensively on the subject and his interviews were published in several leading newspapers & magazines including The Economic Times, Indian Express, Imprint, Lok Prabha leading Marathi Magazine, Chitralekha a leading Gujarati Magazine, Mumbai Samachar, Janmabhoomi etc. Including The Institution of Engineers Journal the most widely read journal among the professionals.
When Shri Antulay took over as Chief Minister of Maharashtra in the year 1980, he got Shri Antulay interested in this project and the things appeared to start moving and a committee was appointed by the State Government under Shri JRD Tata for the implementation of the project. Unfortunately, Shri Antulay had to resign due to cement scandal and due to fall of 2 Govt in less than a year subsequent to his resignation the project went in oblivion Shri JRD Tata had also gratefully acknowledged Jashwant Bhai’s contribution. While both Shri Jashwantbhai & Shri JRD Tata had recommended Rail cum Road bridge, unfortunately, the project which has come up after 4 decades had only provided Road bridge.
Under his Chairmanship PEATA took initiative and suggested several other concepts for way forward for the proposed DP of Mumbai City & Suburbs including the concept of TDR, emphasis on infrastructure development, realistic permissible FSI for Mumbai with detail analysis comparing other cities with Mumbai. He had vehemently advocated to increase abnormally new FSI of 1.00 & 1.33 to a higher more realistic index against payment of premium to be utilised for infrastructure development and emphasised to have different set of regulations for reconstruction of existing old buildings of island to encourage the redevelopment of downtown areas. Several of suggestions put forward by PEATA including TDR etc. had been incorporated in 1991 DC regulations. His book on High Rise buildings was the first to be published in 1978 on the subject in India. It was for the first time the professional fraternity had learned of permissible FSI in cities like New York, Chicago etc. In fact, very few were then aware and almost found it difficult to digest that Manhattan has a permission FSI of 15 (and with TDR it is 18). He has contributed several papers and articles on Housing, Urbanisation and related topics in professional journals and other publications. He is a recipient of Gold Medal awarded by the Institution of Valuers. Builders Association Of India has also awarded him “Indian Construction Industries Navratna Award 2017” for his novel concept of innovative solution for harvesting of rain water at one of his project at Chembur (Club Emerald).
INVOLVEMENT IN OTHER FIELDS
Apart from his professional involvement, he has also actively associated in several social/charitable causes especially Eye Care. He is founder member & Ex-President of EBAI (Eye Bank Association of India) and Chairman Board of Advisory Board and Managing Trustee of EBCRC (Eye Bank Coordination and Research Centre) Mumbai. He was honoured by the International Federation of Eye Banks U.S.A in June 1994 for “his selfless devotion to improving the future of the corneally for blind of India” and also in May 2002 for “his dedication to Sight Restoration through Eye Banking”. He has authored a book “Eye Donation and Eye Banking In India”, the Gujarati & Hindi version of this book is also published. He has been awarded Dr. M.C. Nahata Rahshtriya Netra Suraksha Puraskar, in 2016 by National Society for Prevention of Blindness” and recently honored an award from the Maharashtra Ophthalmological Society for pioneering role in eradicating Corneal Blindness in October 2024.
Among his other areas of interest is his abiding passion for evolving a better democratic alternative than the current political set-up prevailing in our country. With this in view he has authored several books on the subject including “Electoral Reforms”, “Quest for a Better Democratic Alternative”. & “Reappraising Indian Democracy (1947-2023) Parliamentary to Presidential” etc. All of which have been widely acclaimed. His book on “Vegetarianism – The Scientific & Spiritual Basis” is also quite popular.
“The Voice of Malabar Hills” has published 2 of Shri Jashwant Mehta’s article under the title (“Harnessing Full Potential of Mumbai’s Most Scenic Waterfront”) Part I in August 2024 & Part II in October 2024 issues.