The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has placed six final proposals before its Tree Authority for tree cutting and transplantation linked to the proposed Versova–Dahisar Coastal Road project, involving more than 2,200 trees across Mumbai’s western suburbs.
According to civic documents, the proposals relate to multiple stretches of the upcoming coastal corridor connecting Goregaon, Malad and Dahisar. The civic body has proposed removing nearly 1,000 trees, while approximately 1,288 trees are planned to be transplanted as part of the project’s construction and infrastructure development works.
The affected stretches include sections between the Versova interchange and Bangur Nagar in Goregaon, Bangur Nagar to Mindspace in Malad, the Mindspace–Madh Road segment, the Mindspace–Charkop stretch and the Gorai interchange zone near Dahisar.
Officials stated that the largest compensatory plantation exercise has been planned for areas associated with the Malad and Mindspace sections of the corridor.
As part of environmental mitigation measures, the BMC has proposed planting more than 19,500 trees in Panvel. Civic officials said large-scale compensatory afforestation within Mumbai is difficult because of the limited availability of suitable land parcels in the city.
The proposals will now be reviewed by the Tree Authority, which is expected to consider objections and suggestions submitted by residents, citizen groups and environmental activists.
Several environmental organisations and local residents have opposed the plan, arguing that plantations outside Mumbai cannot fully compensate for the loss of mature urban trees and ecological cover within the city’s western suburbs.
Citizen groups from Kandivali and nearby areas have also raised concerns over the possible impact of the coastal road project on mangroves and biodiversity-sensitive zones located along parts of the proposed alignment.
Despite the opposition, civic officials maintained that the Versova–Dahisar Coastal Road project is important for improving traffic movement and reducing congestion across western Mumbai.
According to BMC submissions, the corridor is expected to reduce pressure on SV Road and the Western Express Highway while improving connectivity between Dahisar, Kandivali, Malad and adjoining suburban regions.
The Versova–Dahisar Coastal Road forms part of Mumbai’s larger coastal infrastructure expansion programme aimed at strengthening high-speed connectivity along the city’s western coastline.
Source: Prop News Time
