Coastal Rd North stretch gets nod

The civic administration has received in-principle clearance for the Mumbai Coastal Road (North) project from Versova to Bhayander, from the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEF).

- Linah Baliga

MUMBAI: The clearance was awaited for the mangrove diversion aspect of the project.

Since the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which is implementing this section of the coastal road, has obtained both Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance and the forest diversion in-principle approval from the MoEF, it will now approach the Bombay High Court before it starts implementing the project.

The Nariman Point to Bandra stretch of the coastal road was recently opened to traffic, and the stretch between Bandra and Versova, being implemented by MSRDC, is underway. The Versova to Bhayander stretch will be taken up next. It will make travel from Nariman Point to Bhayander seamless and signal-free, potentially easing congestion in the western suburbs and on the Western Express Highway.