The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has requested the Maharashtra state government to examine complaints regarding non-compliance with stage-I conditions and allied issues related to the diversion of 104 hectares of mangrove land for the proposed Versova-Bhayander Coastal Road project. The ministry has asked the state to take necessary action after reviewing the grievances.
Background of the Project
On June 19, 2025, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) received in-principle stage-I approval from the Union ministry for the diversion of mangroves for the second phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road project. This phase aims to connect Versova to Dahisar and Dahisar to Bhayander. The project has been a subject of contention among environmentalists and citizen groups.
Environmental Concerns Raised by Citizen Groups
Recently, citizen groups have been protesting against the proposal to fell approximately 137 trees within the Nana-Nani Park at Versova. They have also highlighted the impact on more than 45,000 mangrove trees. The groups argue that a significant portion of the destruction of mangrove ecosystems is attributable to the design of the interchange structures.
According to civic officials, the project will permanently impact over 8.2 hectares of mangrove area and affect approximately 9,000 mangrove trees. Additionally, nearly 68.6 hectares of mangrove area and 36,000 mangrove trees will be in the shadow region of the coastal road, leading to long-term ecological damage.
Project Alignment and Regulatory Compliance
The project alignment partially runs on land and partially over creeks, with most of it passing through the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). A BMC official stated, “We have followed all due processes and complied with all conditions. We will assure the state government that whatever action had to be taken regarding CRZ, mangroves, and ecology has been taken, besides all compliances have been adhered to, and no condition has been violated.”
Project Details and Benefits
The Versova-Bhayander Coastal Road project stretches across approximately 60 kilometers, including interchanges and connectors. It features elevated roads, bridges, and two tunnels. The road will connect Versova to Bhayander, significantly reducing travel time from the current 90–120 minutes to just 15–20 minutes. The route will extend from Versova, Malad, Malvani, Kandivli, and Borivli to Dahisar, continuing through Mira Road and ending at Bhayander.
Compensatory Measures for Mangrove Loss
To compensate for the mangrove loss, a comprehensive restoration plan has been prepared by the Mumbai Mangrove Cell, which will oversee its implementation. The BMC will bear the costs. As many as 137,025 mangrove saplings will be planted, and the cell will also undertake mangrove afforestation on 31 hectares of land in Bhayander to offset the green loss. The BMC will transfer an equivalent area of non-forest land to the forest department for compensatory afforestation. In Chandrapur district’s Chimur taluka, 103.7 hectares of land in survey number 354 at Vihirgaon has been designated as non-forest land for this purpose.
