The impending construction of the Mumbai-Vadodara expressway spells a dire ecological crisis as over 39,000 trees face the axe across Palghar, Thane, and Raigad districts of Maharashtra.
This ambitious venture by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) connecting Vadodara in Gujarat to Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Raigad district not only threatens significant green cover but also underscores the broader challenges of balancing infrastructure development with environmental preservation. With a staggering 32,000 trees already felled, the proposed 166.67-km stretch of the highway in Maharashtra necessitates the acquisition of 2,242 hectares of land, including 304 hectares of forest land. NHAI’s response to a Right to Information (RTI) query reveals that 2,100 hectares have already been acquired, signalling the project’s advancement despite mounting environmental concerns. The issuance of permissions to fell 39,132 trees, encompassing both forest and non-forest areas, underscores the magnitude of the ecological toll exacted by the project. Moreover, the construction blueprint includes the demolition of 3,086 houses and buildings, 48 religious structures, and 185 large warehouses, further exacerbating environmental degradation.
Palghar district, renowned for its substantial green cover and diverse fauna, emerges as a focal point of environmental distress. Bearing the brunt of multiple infrastructure projects such as the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train and the Vadhavan port, the district now confronts the imminent loss of its ecological heritage, compounded by the impending Mumbai-Vadodara expressway. The environmental repercussions of such large-scale deforestation extend beyond the immediate landscape, posing long-term challenges for biodiversity conservation and climate resilience. As stakeholders grapple with the complexities of infrastructure development, the imperative for sustainable practices and robust environmental safeguards becomes increasingly evident. Amidst growing environmental activism and public outcry, the Mumbai-Vadodara expressway serves as a poignant reminder of the intrinsic link between infrastructure expansion and environmental stewardship, necessitating a nuanced approach that prioritises ecological integrity alongside developmental imperatives.
