Bombay High Court Approves Versova-Bhayander Coastal Road, Sacrificing 45,000 Mangroves

The Bombay High Court has granted approval for the Versova-Bhayander Coastal Road project, allowing the felling of approximately 45,000 mangroves for the 26.3-kilometer road aimed at reducing commute times from two hours to under 20 minutes. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) proposed the project to alleviate chronic traffic congestion, arguing it would benefit 20 million residents and reduce emissions by 55%.

Despite the approval, the court mandated strict monitoring, requiring annual reports from the BMC for the next decade. The BMC is tasked with planting three times the number of lost mangroves, totaling over 135,000 saplings across multiple locations, including distant Chandrapur.

Environmental activists criticize the decision, citing the critical role mangroves play in coastal defense against climate change and questioning the adequacy of compensatory afforestation. The project is set to cost Rs 20,000 crore and be completed by 2028.