MMRDA to Establish an ‘Urban Ecological Corridor” Along Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning the setting up of a green corridor that would establish connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. This green corridor will be situated along the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL), officials said.

This corridor, which is also known as the “urban ecological corridor” will reportedly consist of wetlands, mangroves, urban forests, amusement and activity zones, cafes, children’s play areas as well as dedicated walking and bicycle lanes. This project will apparently see the planting of over 75,000 trees. 

This corridor will reportedly stretch for 5.5 kilometres on either side of the MTHL land region at Chirle in Navi Mumbai. The MMRDA added that this will be a “pioneering project in the field of highway ecology to achieve MMRDA’s objective of developing sensitive urban infrastructure.”

Read - MCZMA Asks Authorities To Reconsider The 126 Km Virar-Alibaug Corridor As It May Impact Mangroves

MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner RA Rajeev said that this project will be handled in partnership with the State Forest Department. It is said that this green corridor was inspired by the eco-motorway in France as well as the Shenzhen-Huizhou Expressway in China among others. 

Global economies have long considered establishing green corridors as a viable solution to combat the challenges of climate change. Keeping this in mind, it’s good to know that the MMRDA is proposing the establishment of a green corridor in adherence with international standards.

Meanwhile, the MTHL is showing no signs of completing construction anytime soon. Officials cite the lack of labourers and the required machinery as some of the reasons for the delay in MTHL’s completion. As of June this year, only 27 per cent of the work at MTHL had been finished. Authorities have previously set a completion deadline of September 2022 for this crucial connectivity point.