2 weeks ago
Bombay High Court Clears Versova-Madh Island Bridge Amid Environmental Concerns
A court has allowed a bridge to be built between Madh Island and Versova in Mumbai.
The bridge would cross Malad Creek.
Today, people may need to travel 21 kilometres between the two places by road.
The bridge could shorten that trip to about 1.5 kilometres.
Travel time could drop from around 90 minutes to about five minutes.
Building it would require removing 1,237 mangrove trees.
The city says it will fund new mangrove planting and restoration to reduce environmental harm.
An environmental group questioned whether those protections are sufficient.
The court said development and the environment must be carefully balanced.
The Bombay High Court cleared the proposed cable-stayed bridge connecting Madh Island and Versova.
The 2,064-metre bridge is expected to reduce the road journey from 21 kilometres to about 1.5 kilometres.
Travel time could fall from nearly 1.5 hours to approximately five minutes.
The project requires clearing 1,237 mangrove trees across 2.7515 hectares.
The court emphasized balancing development benefits with environmental protection and mitigation requirements.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation sought permission, while the Bombay Environmental Environmental Group opposed the project; the Bombay High Court issued the order.
- What
- The court allowed the proposed cable-stayed bridge project and permission to clear 1,237 mangrove trees subject to environmental conditions.
- Where
- Across Malad Creek, connecting Madh Island and Versova in Mumbai.
- When
- September 9, 2026.
- Why
- The bridge is intended to reduce congestion, travel time, commuting distance and vehicular pollution.
Project Supporters
Environmental Opponents
Development and connectivity
Project Supporters
The BMC described the bridge as a crucial missing link that would reduce congestion, travel time and vehicular pollution.
Environmental Opponents
The Bombay Environmental Environmental Group opposed the project over concerns about its environmental impact and the adequacy of compensatory afforestation.
Mangrove mitigation
Project Supporters
The BMC said its mitigation measures exceeded stipulated requirements, including afforestation over nine hectares and in-situ restoration of 2.5 hectares.
Environmental Opponents
The environmental group questioned whether the proposed compensatory afforestation measures were adequate.
Regulatory conditions
Project Supporters
The BMC said all necessary coastal and forest clearances had been obtained and undertook to comply with the conditions imposed by authorities.
Environmental Opponents
The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority noted that the clearances were subject to conditions.
Key facts
- Bridge length
- 2,064 metres
- Current road journey
- About 21 kilometres and nearly 1.5 hours
- Projected journey
- About 1.5 kilometres and five minutes
- Mangroves affected
- 1,237 trees across 2.7515 hectares
- Compensatory afforestation
- Rs 1.42 crore deposited for mangrove afforestation over nine hectares in Thane district
- Restoration plan
- Rs 12.50 crore plan to restore 2.5 hectares in situ; about 0.20 hectares would remain permanently occupied by bridge structures
- Emissions claim
- The BMC said the project could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 93%
Quotes
Bombay High Court bench
The bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna
“Even we can see that the travel distance is reduced from 21 km to 1.5 km. We must balance environment and development.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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