The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to appoint a consultant to expedite land acquisition for the northern extension of the Mumbai Coastal Road — a 27-kilometre corridor between Versova, Dahisar, and Bhayandar. The civic body aims to acquire nearly 346 hectares of land, covering both public and private parcels, within a three-month timeframe to fast-track project implementation once environmental clearances are secured.
The proposed consultant will oversee all acquisition-related processes, including surveys, documentation, demarcation, and coordination between departments. This includes land required for the main corridor, connecting bridges, interchanges, and temporary approach roads. Key linkages such as the Mash–Versova Bridge, Lagoon Road–Infinity Mall Bridge, Ramchandra Bridge in Malad, and Marve–Manori Bridge are crucial for ensuring smooth access to the new high-speed road. According to civic officials, delegating this procedural-heavy task to a consultant will help streamline coordination and reduce administrative delays. “Land acquisition involves multiple government bodies and significant documentation. Appointing a consultant will bring efficiency and accountability,” said an official from the bridges department.
Preliminary works such as foundation testing and pier trials have already begun in non-CRZ zones near Goregaon’s Oberoi Mall and the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) in Versova. However, major construction can begin only after the Bombay High Court grants final environmental clearance. The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for later this month. Official records show that the suburban collector has granted advance possession of 60.52 hectares, including portions in Charkop, Eksar, Borivali, Malad, Versova, and Juhu. Another 34.6 hectares of mangrove-affected land will be transferred from the state’s Mangrove Cell to the BMC, while 64.7 hectares fall under Forest Rights Act (FRA) claims in Dahisar, Borivali, Malad, and Goregaon.
The project also involves resettling residents and institutions affected by the alignment. Around 45 structures on MHADA land at Aram Nagar, Versova are expected to be relocated, with the civic body covering rent during the transition period. In addition, the Central Institute of Fisheries Education will be shifted to a new building in Versova, with compensation and construction support provided by MHADA and the BMC respectively. For private landowners, compensation options include direct payment, Transferable Development Rights (TDR), or additional Floor Space Index (FSI). Negotiations are ongoing, with some disputes already reaching the courts.
Once clearances and acquisitions are complete, the Coastal Road (north) is expected to integrate seamlessly with Mumbai’s expanding mobility network — including the southern Coastal Road, Atal Setu, and the Metro corridors — providing faster, cleaner, and more efficient travel across the city’s western coastline.
BMC Plans Consultant Appointment To Accelerate Land Acquisition For Coastal Road Extension
