Mumbai: The BMC has received in-principal stage 1 clearance for mangrove diversion proposal from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for the Versova-Bhayander Link Road project. The civic body will now seek final approval from the Bombay High Court.
The project aims to reduce travel time from 90–120 minutes to 15–20 minutes and cut carbon emissions by 55% through fuel savings. However, it will permanently impact 8.24 hectares of mangrove forest, affecting around 9,000 mangrove trees.
Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar held a review meeting at BMC Head quarters with bridge department officials and project consultants. The 20 km Versova-Dahisar coastal road, costing Rs 16,621 crore, aims to ease traffic congestion in the region.
Additionally, a 5.6 km elevated road (45m wide) connecting Dahisar to Bhayandar will be built at a cost of Rs. 3,304 crore to further improve traffic flow. The 60 kms mega project from Marine Drive to Bhayander will feature interchanges, elevated roads, bridges, and two tunnels, built using state-of-the-art construction technology.
The Phase 2, route will pass through Versova, Malad, Malvani, Kandivali, Borivali, and Dahisar, ending at Bhayander via Mira Road. Work is set to begin in August 2025 and be completed by December 2028.
The project alignment spans both land and creek areas, with most of it falling under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). The BMC secured all the necessary environmental clearances last year. On June 19, MoEF&CC approved BMC’s mangrove forest conversion proposal.
“The project will permanently affect 8.24 hectares of mangrove forest, impacting around 9,000 mangrove trees. This includes trees along the main and access roads, under high-voltage power lines, and in tunnels. Additionally, 68.55 hectares of mangrove area will be temporarily diverted, affecting approximately 36,000 trees only during construction. This area will be fully restored once construction is complete. To compensate for the loss, the Mumbai Mangrove Cell has prepared a comprehensive restoration plan, which it will oversee and implement,” said a civic official.
Bangar highlighted that the coastal road will offer an uninterrupted, signal-free route along the city's coastline, significantly easing the city’s traffic woes. To offset mangrove loss, around 1,37,025 saplings will be planted, along with 31 hectares of afforestation in Bhayandar gaon. The BMC aims to achieve carbon neutrality through the project.
The first phase from Marine Drive to Bandra-Worli Sea Link has been completed and opened in stages over the past year. The Bandra-Versova stretch is managed by MSRDC, while BMC is overseeing the Versova-Bhayander section. Once complete, the entire route from Nariman Point to Bhayander will be signal-free, improving traffic flow in the western suburbs and along the Western Express Highway.
