The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has come under fire from citizens and environmentalists after a recent public hearing on the proposed Versova-Bhayandar coastal road. Organised under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, the hearing aimed to gather feedback on the suggested reclassification of several land parcels under the city's Development Plan 2034. Instead, it turned into a platform for citizens to voice strong opposition.
Over 30 attendees unanimously criticised the proposal, raising a chorus of concerns around environmental degradation, inadequate public transportation, and disruption to local livelihoods. The project, they argued, reflects a troubling preference for car-centric development in a city already grappling with pollution and overburdened infrastructure.
Locals pointed out that expanding road networks without addressing the shortfalls in buses and local trains only worsens social inequality. They questioned whom the road would really benefit, highlighting that many residents do not even commute to South Mumbai — the road’s proposed end-point. Community leaders representing traditional fishing populations were especially vocal about the ecological risks. Construction work along the coast, they warned, could seriously damage fish habitats. Recovery from such marine disruption could take over a decade, potentially impacting livelihoods for years to come.
Environmentalists added another layer to the critique, drawing attention to the mass destruction of mangroves. While the BMC claims to be exploring compensatory afforestation options in locations like Dahisar and Chandrapur, activists argued that these plans remain vague and unconfirmed. The scarcity of open land within Mumbai further complicates any realistic chance of ecological restoration. BMC officials attempted to defend the proposal, explaining that the extension of the road to Dahisar necessitated changes in land reservations. While feedback was invited on the road’s alignment and size, officials acknowledged that no design-focused suggestions had emerged from the hearing.
The municipal body has already secured departmental permissions for the project. However, one major hurdle remains: the final approval from the High Court, especially with regard to the felling of mangroves. As the city waits for the court’s decision, the debate over Mumbai’s infrastructure priorities continues. For now, residents are making it clear—they want development that balances progress with preservation.