Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Thane Coastal Road Phase Two Faces Mangrove Environmental Hurdle
A road project is planned between Balkum and Anandnagar in Mumbai.
The road would be elevated and pass near mangroves and a flamingo sanctuary.
Mangroves are important coastal plants, and the sanctuary is environmentally sensitive.
Officials say the project could affect about 3,754 mangrove trees.
Some mangroves may be removed permanently, while others may be removed temporarily.
The coastal authority did not approve the proposal yet.
It asked for more studies about wildlife, flooding and the project’s environmental effects.
It also asked officials to examine whether a different road route would cause less harm.
MCZMA deferred MMRDA’s elevated road proposal at its August 11 meeting.
The Balkum-Anandnagar alignment passes through the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary’s eco-sensitive zone.
The project involves 2.7215 hectares of forest land and about 3,754 mangrove trees.
The alignment crosses CRZ-IA mangroves, mangrove buffer, CRZ-IB and CRZ-IVB areas.
MCZMA requested ecological, flooding, cost-benefit and alternative-alignment studies before further approval.
- Who
- The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority proposed the road, while the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority reviewed it.
- What
- MCZMA deferred approval of the proposed elevated Thane Coastal Road Phase-II and requested additional assessments.
- When
- MCZMA deferred the proposal at its 201st meeting on August 11, 2026; the report is dated September 5, 2026.
- Where
- The proposed route runs from Balkum to Anandnagar in Mulund East and passes through the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary’s eco-sensitive zone.
- Why
- The authority raised concerns about impacts on mangroves, the sanctuary’s ecology, flamingo habitat and flooding.
- Project
- Thane Coastal Road Phase-II, an elevated road proposed from Balkum to Anandnagar in Mulund East
- Reviewing authority
- Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority
- Forest land affected
- 2.7215 hectares
- Mangrove trees affected
- Approximately 3,754 trees
- Permanent mangrove removal
- 1.7472 hectares
- Temporary mangrove removal
- 2.7225 hectares
- Mapped project area
- 2,72,201.58 square metres
- Additional requirements
- Mangrove, ecology, flamingo habitat, flooding and cost-benefit studies, plus an alternative-alignment review and an eco-sensitive-zone clearance