The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has released a public notice for the second phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project. This phase includes the construction of the Versova-Bhayandar link road. As per the notice, the project will require the use of about 104 hectares of forest land.
As per reports, 103.6554 hectares of forest area will be used for road construction, shifting of power lines, and related works. About four hectares in Gorai, Borivali, fall under the forest area. The authorities have asked for public objections under the Forest Rights Act.
The project will also affect a large number of mangrove trees. Around 60,000 mangrove trees will be impacted. Out of these, 9,000 trees will be cut. The rest may be affected indirectly. This was recorded in the minutes of a meeting between the Maharashtra Coastal Zonal Management Authority, BMC, and state environment officials. The meeting also confirmed that the project got approval in November last year.
The project has already received approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. The government will apply the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act of 2006, along with the 2008 amendment and 2012 rules.
As per the law, affected individuals can file their objections at the local ward office. The last date to submit objections is April 21. The BMC has sent out notices to amend the reserve status of 60 land parcels. These are located between Goregaon and Dahisar. This step is needed to move forward with the construction.
The project has caused concern among environmental activists. Zoru Bhathena, an ecology campaigner, said that Mumbai’s green areas are being used for construction.
Mangroves play an important role in protecting the coast. They reduce the impact of tidal flooding, erosion, and storm surges. Their roots hold the soil and reduce wave impact. But these areas have seen a decrease due to encroachment and construction.
A proposal was submitted to divert about 102 hectares of forest area for the road. The mangrove cover to be cut is lower. But a total of 60,000 mangrove trees will be impacted by the road.
The second phase of the project will pass through forests, creeks, and mangrove zones. This will lead to the loss of a large green area. The E and F packages of the coastal road project cover areas where mangroves are present.
The second phase of the coastal road is expected to be completed by 2029. It is estimated to cost INR 20,648 crore. The road will cover a 25-kilometre stretch. It will include cable-stayed bridges, underground tunnels, and interchanges.
The road has six parts:
- Package A is a 4.5-kilometre stretch between Versova and Bangur Nagar in Goregaon.
- Package B connects Bangur Nagar to Mindspace in Malad and is 1.66 kilometres long.
- Packages C and D include twin tunnels of 3.9 kilometres between Mindspace and Charkop in Kandivali.
- Package E will connect Charkop and Gorai over 3.78 kilometres.
- Package F links Gorai to Dahisar over 3.69 kilometres.
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