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Mumbai's Coastal Road Project's north phase, connecting Versova to Bhayandar, has received crucial Stage 1 approval for mangrove forest diversion. The INR 20,000 crore project involves interchanges, elevated roads, and twin tunnels, with much of the area in the Coastal Regulation Zone. Approximately 8.24 hectares of mangrove forest and 9,000 trees will be affected. Mitigation includes planting over 1.37 lakh new mangroves and afforestation over 31 hectares. The BMC will now seek High Court approval to begin construction, aiming to reduce travel time significantly and ease traffic congestion in Mumbai.
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has recently granted a key preliminary approval for a major infrastructure project. This decision concerns the north phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project, which connects Versova to Bhayandar. The approval allows for necessary environmental adjustments related to mangrove forest areas, specifically providing Stage 1 (in-principle) approval for a diversion proposal. Advertisement
The north phase of the Coastal Road Project is a large undertaking, estimated to cost INR 20,000 crore. It is divided into six packages and will cover various sections from Versova to Dahisar, with an additional elevated corridor extending to Bhayandar.
The project includes interchanges, elevated roads, and twin tunnels, passing through both land and creeks, with most of the area falling under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). Approximately 8.24 hectares of mangrove forest area will be permanently affected, with around 9,000 mangrove trees expected to be cut and over 36,000 affected in total.
To lessen this impact, the Mumbai Mangrove Cell (MMC) has a plan to plant over 1.37 lakh new mangrove trees and implement a restoration plan, including establishing a nursery and afforestation over 31 hectares in Bhayandar Gaon.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will also transfer non-forest areas elsewhere for forest development. The primary goal of this project is to reduce travel time between Versova and Bhayandar from 90-120 minutes to just 20 minutes, aiming to ease traffic congestion in Mumbai.
The BMC has already secured environmental clearances and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from central and state governments, including CRZ permissions in November 2024. The actual construction work will commence after obtaining final working permissions from the High Court.
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