The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has recommended environmental clearance for the 7.12-km Thane Coastal Road-2 project along its original alignment, despite the permanent loss of 680 mangroves within the ecologically sensitive Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary.
According to the minutes of the authority’s 202nd meeting, held on September 24, the proposal has been forwarded to the Union Environment Ministry. The decision follows the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (MMRDA) submission that no viable alternative route could avoid substantial damage to the internationally recognised Ramsar site.
The MMRDA’s project will affect 3,754 mangroves across the construction area. Of these, 680 trees covering approximately 1.7 hectares are expected to be permanently lost because they stand at locations proposed for the elevated road’s supporting piers.
Construction activities could damage another 1,053 mangroves, which are expected to be restored afterwards. The remaining 2,021 trees will largely remain unaffected, according to the meeting records.
In August, the MCZMA had postponed its decision and directed the MMRDA to examine alternative routes to limit environmental damage. However, the authority was informed that “there is no alternative alignment which can substantially save the mangroves”, as the proposed corridor is bordered by existing development to the west and Thane Creek to the east.
To reduce the project’s ecological footprint, the MMRDA has proposed an elevated viaduct with the distance between supporting piers increased from 30 metres to 50 metres, reducing the number of foundations required.
The recommendation includes safeguards such as compensatory mangrove plantation in consultation with the Mangrove Cell, an Environmental Management Plan and continuous monitoring of environmental impacts.
The greenfield road will extend approximately 7.129 km from Anand Nagar in Mulund East to Balkum in Thane, connecting with Thane Coastal Road-1, the proposed Kopri-Patni bridge and the Eastern Express Highway extension.
The MMRDA expects the project to divert regional traffic away from Thane city, improve connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and reduce congestion, accidents, pollution and travel delays. The project still requires the necessary statutory approvals, including final clearance from the Union Environment Ministry.
Source: Hindustan Times
Pic Credit: Economic Times
