Mumbai's coastal road clears legal hurdle as 45,000 mangroves face the axe

The Supreme Court has declined to halt the felling of over 45,000 mangrove trees for Mumbai's Versova-Bhayandar coastal road. The decision upholds a Bombay High Court ruling that allowed the project to proceed under strict conditions. Environmental groups had challenged the move, arguing for a reduction in tree removal.

The dispute began when the Bombay High Court approved the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) plan to clear 45,000 mangroves for the coastal road. Originally, the project's environmental clearance had proposed cutting just 2,034 trees. The court's decision came with requirements, including annual reports on mangrove restoration and compensatory planting for a decade.

An NGO, Vanashakti, took the case to the Supreme Court, urging a review of the tree-cutting figures. They stressed the ecological role of mangroves in protecting coastlines and supporting biodiversity. However, the Supreme Court refused to reassess the numbers, stating that expert assessments should not be second-guessed by judges. The Solicitor General defended the project, arguing it would cut travel time, ease traffic on the western highway, and reduce carbon emissions. The Supreme Court agreed, noting that the project's public benefits outweighed the environmental concerns. It also highlighted the safeguards in place, such as mandatory compensatory afforestation. As a final measure, the Court ordered the BMC to submit yearly progress reports to the Bombay High Court. These reports must detail the extent of mangrove restoration and new plantings.

The coastal road project will now move forward with the felling of 45,000 mangroves. The BMC must comply with monitoring and restoration requirements for the next ten years. The Supreme Court's ruling confirms that no further legal challenges will delay the work.