The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started tree plantation work along sections of the Mumbai Coastal Road project. Work has already begun in some parts of Worli and will start soon at Breach Candy. Preparations are focused on soil testing and improving the ground conditions on the reclaimed land to understand which tree species can survive in the coastal environment.
As per reports, around 15,000 trees will be planted before the monsoon. The larger landscaping plan includes the plantation of nearly 60,000 trees and more than two lakh bushes over the next few years. The greenery work is part of the larger plan to convert reclaimed land into public open spaces.
The 10.6-kilometre-long Coastal Road (south) project reclaimed nearly 111 hectares of land from the sea. Out of this, around 40 hectares have been used for roads, bridge approaches, interchanges and other infrastructure linked to the project. The remaining land is planned to be developed into gardens, promenades, leisure spaces, walking tracks, cycling paths and urban forest areas.
To support the plantation drive, two nurseries are being developed. One nursery is already functioning in Worli, opposite Piramal House. Another nursery is planned at Breach Candy behind the L&T site office near Amarsons Garden. The goal is to study how they react to salty coastal weather and soil conditions before they are planted across the project area.
In February, a draft concept plan for the Coastal Road Gardens was shown to south Mumbai residents. The proposal included promenades, wooded areas, Miyawaki micro-forest pockets, urban forest zones and recreational facilities. Officials said the landscaping work will be carried out in different phases over the next 24 months.
Meanwhile, environmental concerns linked to the larger Coastal Road expansion project continue to grow. Around 100 residents gathered at the Amphitheatre at Carter Road in Bandra West on Sunday, May 17, 2026, to protest against the proposed cutting of 45,000 mangrove trees for the Versova-Bhayander Coastal Road project.
The protesters had originally planned to form a human chain along Carter Road while holding posters and signs to spread awareness. The organisers then changed the event into a public gathering that included music, discussions, public interaction and a guided mangrove awareness walk along the Carter Road coastline.
During the gathering, participants spoke to members of the public about the ecological importance of mangroves. They said mangroves protect coastal areas during extreme weather events and support fishing communities.