NGO Challenges Mangrove Felling for Coastal Road, Demands Afforestation as Promised

NGO Vanashakti has approached the Bombay High Court, alleging non-compliance with mandatory afforestation requirements linked to the felling of mangroves for the proposed Versova-Bhayandar Coastal Road project.

On December 12, 2025, the High Court permitted the felling of 45,675 mangroves for the project, citing 'demonstrably required public interest'. The court had imposed conditions requiring compensatory afforestation to be carried out before or simultaneously with the felling.

In its interim application, Vanashakti stated that it does not seek cancellation of the project or wish to obstruct its execution. Instead, it has sought compliance with the afforestation process, arguing that such efforts must be undertaken to 'meaningfully restore ecological balance in the very regions that suffer degradation, rather than in distant areas, where the environmental impact is negligible'.

Appearing for the NGO, senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond and advocate Ronita Bhattacharya-Bector argued that construction work has already commenced and that mangrove felling began in March 2026, without proper afforestation measures being in place.

The coastal road project aims to connect Versova in Mumbai to Bhayandar in the northern suburbs, and is expected to ease traffic congestion. However, environmental groups have raised concerns about the loss of mangroves, which serve as crucial coastal buffers and biodiversity hotspots.

The High Court is expected to hear the matter further and may issue directions regarding the afforestation timeline and oversight. The outcome could set a precedent for balancing development and environmental protection in coastal regions.