The Bombay High Court (HC) has permitted the felling of 45,675 mangroves for the proposed Versova–Bhayandar coastal road, while reiterating that mangroves are vital natural shields against coastal erosion, flooding and tidal surges and hold immense ecological value for the Mumbai and Thane region.
The court stressed that such ecologically sensitive vegetation can be removed only when a clear public interest is established.
Although the approval was granted last month, the detailed order was released on Tuesday, January 6. In its order, the court directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to submit annual compliance and audit reports for the next 10 years to ensure the successful plantation and protection of 1.37 lakh mangrove trees in Palghar district. The court warned that failure to comply with these conditions could invite contempt proceedings.
The bench referred to its 2018 ruling that imposed a state-wide ban on mangrove destruction without court permission, emphasising that such ecosystems cannot be sacrificed unless required for the larger public good.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam A. Ankhad, on December 12, approved BMC’s request to proceed with the construction of the coastal road. The project includes a 26.32-km main corridor, with the total length extending to 33.4 km when interchanges, connectors and supporting infrastructure are included. The project, estimated to cost around INR 18,263 crore, is scheduled for completion by March 2029. According to the BMC, the total area impacted by the project is approximately 84 hectares.
The civic body argued that the coastal road would significantly benefit the public by easing congestion on the Western Express Highway, Link Road and S V Road. It said the project would reduce the travel distance between Versova and Bhayandar by about 10.4 km and cut travel time from nearly two hours to just 18 minutes.
The BMC assured the court that it would plant and maintain three times the number of mangroves to be cut, along with implementing protective measures at the plantation site.
It also claimed that the project would lead to a reduction in fuel consumption by around 7.82 lakh kilograms and lower carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 146.86 lakh tonnes.
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