July 28, 2025: A major step forward has been made in the long-delayed ₹239 crore Madh–Versova bridge project, with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) granting environmental clearance this week. The approval brings Mumbai closer to constructing a crucial fixed-link bridge connecting the Madh and Versova jetties—currently linked only by ferry services that remain suspended during the monsoon season.
Stretching 2.06 kilometres, the bridge is planned as a cable-stayed structure to minimise the number of pillars within the sensitive mangrove zone and thereby reduce environmental impact. Its alignment will also integrate with the Versova interchange, forming the northern extension of the Coastal Road corridor.
However, before construction can commence, permission must be obtained from the Bombay High Court to divert approximately 2.75 hectares of mangrove land. As part of compensatory measures, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has identified three hectares for afforestation and committed to planting three saplings for every tree removed. Judicial clearance is expected within two to three months, after which land acquisition will begin. On-site construction is anticipated to start by October.
The project, initially proposed in Mumbai’s 1967 Development Plan, gained renewed momentum following a recent meeting between MP Piyush Goyal and Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, after which the matter was escalated to the MoEFCC.
Meanwhile, environmental concerns have been raised regarding the Versova–Dahisar Coastal Road project, estimated at Rs cr. A leading environmental activist has submitted objections to state officials and the MoEFCC, citing coastal regulation violations and large-scale ecological disruption. The project is expected to result in the permanent loss of over 9,000 mangrove trees across 8.24 hectares, and temporary damage to nearly 36,000 more across 68.55 hectares.
Balancing rapid infrastructure development with ecological preservation remains a pressing challenge in Mumbai’s urban planning.
Source: Mumbai Live
