Mumbai’s Coastal Road Project has entered a contentious phase, as the second stretch of the Versova-Dahisar Link Road (VDLR) is set to impact a crucial environmental resource.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently revealed plans to utilise 104 hectares of land for the 20 km road expansion, a move that has raised concerns among environmentalists due to the substantial loss of mangrove cover. Environmental activists are warning that the project, which is expected to cost around ₹16,621 crore, will lead to the destruction of vital mangrove forests, known for their role in preventing coastal erosion and providing a natural barrier against floods. The development involves not just the road itself, but also the construction of a 5.6 km elevated corridor to connect Dahisar with Bhayandar, aimed at reducing congestion around the Dahisar Check Naka and improving traffic flow. However, the environmental cost of the project could be significant.
The alignment of the road, which will pass through mangrove patches, forest areas, and creeks, threatens to disrupt over 60,000 mangrove trees, with around 9,000 trees already slated for removal. Local environmentalists argue that this decision could have lasting consequences on Mumbai’s ecology, particularly in the face of climate change, where mangroves play an even more critical role in mitigating rising sea levels. The project’s impact on the city’s green cover has sparked strong opposition from various environmental groups. One of the most vocal critics, an expert on coastal ecosystems, stressed that the mangroves surrounding Charkop have been instrumental in protecting the region during extreme weather events. “During the 2005 Mumbai floods, Charkop remained relatively safe while other parts of the city were submerged, thanks to the protective mangroves,” the expert noted. These mangroves are also home to a range of bird species, including Siberian Painted Storks, which flock to the area every year, further highlighting the ecological significance of the region. The BMC, in response to the controversy, has invited public feedback, with residents and environmentalists given until April 21 to submit objections or suggestions regarding the diversion of land. The civic body is under pressure to balance the need for modern infrastructure with environmental conservation, as the Versova-Dahisar Link Road is being seen as a critical solution to decongest Mumbai’s traffic-heavy northern suburbs.
The 20 km road project is intended to link the suburban areas of Versova and Dahisar, which are currently experiencing significant traffic congestion due to the lack of efficient roads. The project is expected to cut down traffic by up to 35%, providing an alternate route to Mira-Bhayandar and alleviating some of the strain on Mumbai’s already overburdened road network. However, critics argue that urban expansion should not come at the cost of the city’s ecological health. A local activist noted, “We should focus on building infrastructure over already developed areas rather than tearing down forests and mangroves that have been in place for centuries. Roads can be built in other ways, but the damage to nature is irreversible.” These concerns echo a larger debate on sustainable urban development and the need for a balance between infrastructure growth and environmental preservation.
In the wake of these protests, local lawmakers and community leaders are calling for alternative plans that would allow the project to move forward without compromising the region’s environmental integrity. Meetings are being planned to explore ways to reroute the road or to introduce mitigation measures that could preserve key green spaces. The project, which includes a significant portion of the city’s coastal belt, has also attracted attention for its potential to increase Mumbai’s vulnerability to climate change impacts, such as rising sea levels and stronger storms. Critics argue that the environmental cost of the road project far outweighs the benefits of improved traffic flow, especially when alternatives for sustainable development exist. As the deadline for objections approaches, the BMC faces mounting pressure from environmental groups to reconsider the plan. The decision could set a precedent for how Mumbai approaches future infrastructure projects, particularly when it comes to preserving its increasingly threatened ecosystems. Environmental experts are urging the city to explore more sustainable solutions, such as tunnelling through the forests or constructing the road in areas where the ecological impact would be minimal. These alternatives, they argue, would protect the mangroves and the vital ecosystem services they provide while still enabling the city to develop much-needed infrastructure.
The controversy over the Mumbai Coastal Road Project Phase 2 underscores the growing tension between rapid urban development and environmental preservation in one of India’s largest cities. As the debate continues, the BMC must weigh the long-term environmental costs against the immediate infrastructure needs of Mumbai’s expanding population. How the city chooses to navigate this challenge will serve as a bellwether for future urban planning initiatives, and it could have lasting implications for the delicate balance between urbanisation and environmental conservation in the country’s urban centres.
BMC Coastal Road Expansion Threatens 104 Hectares of Mangrove Land
