Mumbai Coastal Road Phase 2: 104 Hectares Of Forest Land To Be Used For Versova-Bhayandar Link Road; Public Objections Invited Until April 21

Mumbai: As much as 104 hectares of forest land will be used for the construction of Versova-Bhayandar link road. "Under the development plan, Versova Bhayandar road is proposed and for the construction of the road, relocation of the affected power lines and others, a 103.6554 hectares of forest land is to be used", the public notice issued by the BMC says.

"The project has recieved Coastal Regulation Zone clearances from Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The government has decided to implement the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act 2006 and 2008, Amendment Rules 2012. Under the act of any affected people have to raise objections, can do so by April 21 in the ward office," the notice days.

Assistant Municipal Commissioner of R-Central ward, Sandhya Nandedkar said, "Around 4 hectares falls in Gorai, Borivali. We have called for objections under Forest Rights Act. The road is part of the Coastal Road project, and has recieved all clearances."

Angered over a huge green land parcel used for road construction, environment activist Zoru Bhathena said, "The assault on Mumbai’s Environment continues unabated. And the effects are for all to see & feel. The AQI and heat hasn't happened naturally. It is by a planned design. All in the name of development."

The BMC had recently issued a notice to revise the reservation for 60 land parcels located between Goregaon and Dahisar, a crucial step in advancing the second phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project.

The second phase of the coastal road project, costing ₹20,648 crore, is set to be completed by 2029. It will enhance road connectivity between Mumbai’s island city, its suburbs, and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.