The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has submitted an application to the State Coastal Zone Management Authority seeking Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for the proposed Rs 5,140.92-crore Thane Coastal Road Phase II project.
The 7.13-km corridor requires environmental approval as its alignment passes through ecologically sensitive areas, including mangrove zones and the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary. The application has been filed under the CRZ Notification, 2019, with MMRDA seeking approval for the project before beginning construction activities.
According to documents submitted by the authority, the proposed alignment falls under multiple CRZ categories, including CRZ-IA, CRZ-IB, CRZ-II and CRZ-IVB. These classifications require detailed regulatory review due to the project’s proximity to coastal and environmentally protected areas.
The proposal states that the project will impact approximately 12.72 hectares of mangrove land, with around 1,733 mangrove trees likely to be affected. MMRDA has informed authorities that an application for forest clearance is already under process and that a compensatory afforestation plan will be submitted as part of the approval requirements.
The environmental assessment also highlights the project’s location near protected habitats. A section of the proposed road alignment passes through the Eco-Sensitive Zone of the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, which is located around 700 metres from the project area. The ESZ of Sanjay Gandhi National Park is situated approximately 2.6 km away, while Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary falls within an 8-km radius.
As part of the approval process, MMRDA conducted terrestrial and marine Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies between December 2025 and February 2026. The authority has also prepared a disaster management plan and submitted coastal zone maps showing the proposed road’s route through notified CRZ areas.
The proposed six-lane freeway will connect Balkum and Kasheli with Anand Nagar in Mulund East and is planned as an alternative route for regional traffic passing through Thane.
According to MMRDA’s application, the project aims to reduce congestion on major routes such as the Eastern Express Highway and Ghodbunder Road by diverting non-local traffic. The authority expects the corridor to help reduce travel time, road accidents, pollution levels and vehicle operating costs.
The CRZ approval is among the major statutory clearances required before construction can commence. Once completed, the project will become part of the larger regional transport network connecting Thane with Mumbai and other parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Source: The Times of India
