Coastal Road Project set to impact 60,000 mangrove trees; here's what's happening!

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has invited citizens to submit suggestions and objections to the proposed Versova-Bhayander section of Coastal Road Project. The deadline for public input is April 21, 2025.

According to meeting minutes from the Maharashtra Coastal Zonal Management Authority (MCZMA), 60,000 mangrove trees will be affected, with 9,000 marked for cutting. Although forest land diversion has been proposed over 102 hectares, officials claim the mangrove vegetation to be cleared is comparatively limited, in regards to the proposed northward extension.

The 25 km-long high-speed corridor, estimated to cost ₹20,000 crore, will feature underground tunnels, cable-stayed bridges and vehicular interchanges. The alignment runs through sensitive ecological zones, including mangrove forests, creeks, and forest lands, resulting in significant green cover loss. Breakdown of project packages is as follows.

• Package A: Versova to Bangur Nagar (4.5 km)

• Package B: Bangur Nagar to Mindspace, Malad (1.66 km)

• Packages C & D: Twin tunnels (3.9 km) connecting Mindspace and Charkop

• Package E: Charkop to Gorai (3.78 km)

• Package F: Gorai to Dahisar (3.69 km)

The project received clearance from the Environment Ministry in November 2024. The affected areas largely fall under Packages E and F, which involve mangrove zones.