June 19, 2025: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approached the Supreme Court seeking approval to fell 95 trees within the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) for the first phase of the Rs 14,000-crore Goregaon–Mulund Link Road (GMLR) tunnel. The twin-bore, 6.62-kilometre tunnel aims to cut east–west travel time by an hour, offering a major boost to Mumbai’s traffic-choked commute corridors.
The petition follows a January 2025 ruling that barred the Mumbai Tree Authority from independently approving tree felling in Aarey without the apex court’s consent. The BMC clarifies that the trees earmarked for removal lie outside the eco-sensitive Aarey Milk Colony, though still within Aarey village boundaries.
To construct a 200 × 50 × 35-metre shaft for lowering tunnel boring machines (TBMs), the BMC proposes clearing ground space beneath SGNP. The shaft’s placement was slightly shifted to avoid tribal hamlets—raising the number of affected trees from 55 to 95. In subsequent phases, up to 1,567 trees may be impacted, with 513 slated for removal and 581 marked for transplantation.
While the tunnel will run underground, preserving the forest canopy, environmentalists warn that any tree loss within a protected area could disrupt wildlife corridors and ecosystems. Experts stress that survival rates for transplanted trees are inconsistent and urge robust biodiversity monitoring during and after construction.
The BMC has committed to ecological safeguards, noting the tunnel realignment—costing an additional Rs 248 crore—was done to protect tribal lands. Planners say the project will ease surface-level congestion and lower vehicle emissions, supporting Mumbai’s low-carbon mobility goals.
The Supreme Court’s decision will be pivotal, weighing infrastructural needs against ecological preservation. As Mumbai strives for resilient development, the challenge remains: building smarter without sacrificing the natural systems that sustain the city.
Source: Urban Acres
