Mumbai’s ambitious infrastructure project has reached a significant milestone, as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been granted legal clearance to construct a new road through the Malad mangroves. The proposed 50-metre-wide road will pass through a sensitive “blue zone”, an area designated for stringent environmental oversight, which includes parts of Malad Link Road and the Malvani locality.
The court’s decision follows the BMC’s adherence to required legal and environmental protocols, including obtaining necessary clearances from relevant authorities. Notably, the approval also references a 2018 Supreme Court ruling, permitting construction in mangrove buffer zones for projects proposed before the judgement, provided they meet strict environmental criteria.Mumbai’s rapid urbanisation has created an urgent need for better mobility infrastructure, with suburbs like Malad facing significant traffic congestion and poor last-mile connectivity.
While city planners argue that such projects are essential for economic development and accessibility, environmentalists have raised concerns over the potential loss of vital ecosystems. The BMC’s proposal, submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in April 2024, covers around 3.5 hectares of mangrove land, with mitigation measures in place to minimise environmental damage.The High Court was informed that 37 mangrove trees would be affected, but the BMC has committed to compensatory afforestation and other eco-restorative actions.
The Division Bench, after considering both the legal and environmental aspects, approved the project, highlighting the need for sustainable urban development.While the construction of the road will ease traffic woes in Malad, it also raises important questions about the balance between urban expansion and environmental preservation. As Mumbai moves forward with its infrastructure goals, the success of this project will depend on how effectively it integrates environmental safeguards and sustainable planning practices.
Source: Urban Acres.
