Supreme Court Greenlights Mumbai Coastal Road Project With Stringent Environmental Conditions
The Supreme Court of India has granted approval for the ambitious Rs 18,263 crore Versova-Bhayandar Coastal Road Project in Mumbai, while simultaneously imposing rigorous environmental safeguards to mitigate the project's ecological impact. The decision comes with the recognition that the development will affect approximately 46,000 mangrove trees, but the court has mandated comprehensive compensatory measures.
Balancing Development and Environmental Protection
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi refused to entertain an appeal against the Bombay High Court's December 12 order that permitted the project. The Supreme Court emphasized that while the coastal road is crucial for Mumbai's infrastructure, environmental conservation must not be compromised.
"Construction of this road is very important for residents of Mumbai. We cannot stall every developmental project even though it is equally important that the environment and conservation mechanisms are not compromised," the bench stated unequivocally.
The court acknowledged the project's "extreme public importance" in decongesting the Western Express Highway, but established a clear principle: "No mangrove should be removed unless there is overriding public interest."
Mandatory 10-Year Environmental Audit Framework
In a significant move, the Supreme Court directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to strictly comply with Bombay High Court directives requiring annual audit reports on afforestation status. These reports must be filed for a continuous period of ten years, ensuring transparency and accountability in environmental compensation efforts.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court that these yearly audit reports would be submitted as mandated, focusing on the growth and health of compensatory afforestation activities. The afforestation is being conducted near the Tadoba reserve forest, with mangrove relocation and plantation occurring approximately 10 kilometers from the project site.
The CJI-led bench specified that "the annual report shall give complete details of the non-forest land used for afforestation," creating a robust monitoring mechanism for the project's environmental mitigation measures.
Environmental Concerns and Compensatory Measures
During proceedings, senior advocate C.U. Singh, representing the NGO Vanashakti, highlighted significant ecological concerns. He argued that the project would divert 103.7 hectares of forest land containing 45,675 mangroves without adequate assessment of environmental harm.
Singh emphasized mangroves' critical role in countering pollution and protecting against high tides, warning that the high court's approval could allow mangrove removal before completion of stage-II environmental impact assessments and forest clearance procedures.
In response, Solicitor General Mehta informed the court that compensatory afforestation has already been initiated on 31 hectares of land, proceeding simultaneously with project construction. He detailed how the Bombay High Court had imposed strict conditions on the BMC to ensure adequate compensatory afforestation, with monitoring of growth and survival for at least a decade.
Judicial Safeguards and Project Implementation
The Supreme Court ultimately determined that the safeguards incorporated in the Bombay High Court's order provided sufficient environmental protection. "In view of the safeguards incorporated in the order of the Bombay HC, we do not see any reason to entertain the appeal," the bench concluded, allowing the project to proceed under strict oversight.
This landmark decision establishes a precedent for major infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive areas, balancing urgent developmental needs with long-term environmental sustainability through enforceable monitoring mechanisms and compensatory requirements.
