Bombay High Court Allows Mangrove Removal For Mumbai's New Railway Lines: What You Need To Know

Last week, the Bombay High Court granted permission to the Western Railway (WR) to remove 2,652 mangroves for the construction of two new railway lines between Borivali and Virar stations. This decision is part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) III-A, which involves the development of the 5th and 6th lines at a cost of Rs 2,184 crore.

The project has already received in-principle approval from a regional empowered committee and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC). However, the MOEFCC has imposed around 20 conditions that WR must adhere to during the construction phase. These include measures to mitigate environmental impacts and ensure compliance with environmental standards.

The new 26-kilometre lines are expected to enhance the frequency of train services, extending benefits beyond Mumbai's western suburbs. To address the environmental concerns associated with the removal of mangroves, the High Court has instructed WR to undertake the planting and maintenance of 7,823 mangroves near the areas where the removal will occur.

The WR has confirmed that the Additional Chief Principal Conservator of Forests (Mangroves) has identified suitable land for compensatory planting and estimated the cost for this activity at Rs 15 lakh. This cost is in addition to the mandatory compensatory afforestation required by environmental regulations.

In its ruling, the court recognised the broad public interest and the potential ecological benefits of the project. It noted that the construction of the new lines is expected to reduce emissions, ease traffic congestion, and conserve fuel. The suburban railway system in Mumbai, which spans 376 kilometres, serves approximately eight million commuters daily with 284 rakes operating 3,000 train services.

The High Court highlighted that any felling of mangroves in Mumbai must be approved by the court, in line with previous judgments, including the case of Bombay Environment Action Group v. State of Maharashtra.