The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has initiated the process of diverting 1.6202 hectares of forest land containing mangroves for the construction of two proposed flyovers at Mankhurd, a key traffic junction connecting Mumbai with Navi Mumbai.
The move comes nearly two years after the civic body invited bids for the infrastructure project. The proposed land diversion includes areas falling within the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary and its notified Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
The civic administration has approached the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) seeking approval to use the forest land for relocating existing electricity transmission lines. The relocation is considered necessary to enable construction of the flyovers and provide adequate clearance for the proposed piers.
Two new flyovers are planned alongside the existing Mankhurd flyover. The western structure will carry vehicles from the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road towards the Sion-Panvel Highway and Navi Mumbai. The eastern flyover will facilitate traffic travelling from Navi Mumbai towards the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road, allowing vehicles to avoid the busy signalised junction.
“There are 3 existing high tension cable lines across Ghatkopar Mankhurd Link Road near T junction in one of the flyovers (towards Navi Mumbai)…these are required to be relocated suitably and the required elevation to be increased for the execution of infringing piers,” reads a note from the civic body, a copy of which is with Hindustan Times.
According to the civic proposal, 1.1088 hectares, covering a length of 889.103 metres, falls within the notified ESZ, while another 0.4732 hectares, spanning 526.458 metres, lies within the sanctuary-related forest area. The number of mangroves that could be affected has not yet been disclosed.
An additional 1.0657 hectares of non-forest land will also be required for the work.
“The Ghatkopar Mankhurd Link Road is an important link for the Eastern Express Highway and connects with the Mumbai Pune Expressway via the Sion Panvel Highway. Heavy traffic is often encountered at the T junction, during peak hours,” said a civic official. “To decongest, we are planning these two flyovers.”
The project was estimated at Rs 918 crore when tenders were floated in September 2024, though the revised cost has not been disclosed.
The proposal has also encountered an alignment concern, with CIDCO seeking changes because the proposed flyovers overlap with the planned 34.89-km Mumbai Metro 8 Gold Line, which is intended to connect Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports.
Source: Hindustan Times
