The Supreme Court has given final approval for the Rs 18,263 crore Versova-Bhayandar Coastal Road project, dismissing appeals over mangrove destruction. The 26-km highway promises to cut peak-hour travel from 2 hours to just 20 minutes.
CJI Surya Kant’s bench ruled the project serves “overriding public interest” despite the loss of 46,000 mangrove trees. The coastal road will bypass Mumbai’s perpetually congested Western Express Highway, reducing fuel use and emissions.
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BMC must implement a “three-for-one” plantation strategy, planting 1.3 lakh mangroves near Tadoba reserve. The court mandated annual audit reports for 10 years to ensure tree survival, no “eyewash” allowed.
Flood Risk Looms Larger
With Mumbai already battling frequent waterlogging, removing natural coastal shields raises serious concerns. Will the convenience of faster commutes justify increased vulnerability to climate disasters?
While commuters celebrate traffic relief, environmentalists plead for Mumbai’s green heritage.
