Representative image NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Friday greenlighted the Rs 18,263 crore Versova-Bhayandar Coastal Road Project that will adversely impact close to 46,000 mangrove trees but directed Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to scrupulously comply with Bombay HC directions to file yearly audit reports on status of afforestation, to be carried out prior or simultaneously, for a period of 10 years.Refusing to entertain an appeal against the HC’s Dec 12 order allowing the project, a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said there is no doubt about the public benefit of the project, which would decongest the Western Express Highway.”Construction of this road is very important for residents of Mumbai. We cannot stall every developmental project even though it is equally important that the environment and conservation mechanisms are not compromised,” the bench said.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Israel pounds Tehran as Iranians mark Nowruz; UAE, Kuwait defences respond to missile barrage’World’s first hit’: Iran claims strike on US F-35 lightning 2 – why it’s a big dealIran hits Ras Laffan facility: Qatar’s 17% LNG capacity gone, $20bn loss; which countries will be impacted?Appearing for NGO Vanashakti, senior advocate C U Singh said, “The impugned judgment permits diversion of 103.7 hectares of forest land constituting 45,675 mangroves across Malad creek without any assessment of the environmental and ecological harm that would be caused.”The Supreme Court bench said, “No mangrove should be removed unless there is overriding public interest. There is no dispute that the coastal road project connecting Versova and Bhayandar is of extreme public importance.”Solicitor general Tushar Mehta assured Supreme Court that the yearly audit reports will be filed, as per the high court direction, for the next 10 years to ensure growth and health of the compensatory afforestation being carried out near Tadoba reserve forest and the relocation and plantation of mangrove at a location 10km from the project site.The CJI-led bench said that the annual report shall give complete details of the non-forest land used for afforestation. “In view of the safeguards incorporated in the order of the Bombay HC, we do not see any reason to entertain the appeal,” it said.Narrating the beneficial effects of mangroves, which according to Vanashakti are highly effective in countering pollution and high tides, C U Singh said the approval given by the high court to the project would allow the proponents to cut down mangrove even before the stage-II environment impact assessment and forest clearance.Solicitor general Tushar Mehta a said compensatory afforestation has already been carried out on 31 hectares of land simultaneously with the project work.Solicitor general Mehta a said the high court has put the BMC to strict terms to ensure adequate compensatory afforestation, their growth and survival for at least 10 years.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMoD Reveals India Exploring Joining GCAP Or FCAS Sixth Generation Fighter ProgrammePM Modi Speaks To Bahrain King, Condemns Attacks On Energy Infra, Stresses Secure Shipping RoutesTrump Sending Troops To Strait Of Hormuz?; ‘Iran Being Decimated’: Bibi Denies Dragging U.S Into WarDiplomacy In New Avatar: Why Vikram Doraiwami Picked Chinese Name Wei Jiameng As India’s New EnvoyHow Iran’s Attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan Gas Hub Sparks India’s Energy EmergencyIndian National Killed In Riyadh, MEA Confirms Total 6 Dead, 1 Missing Amid Israel-Iran WarRussia Tip Off Led To NIA Arrest Of Matthew VanDyke, Global Insurgency Network Exposed In Northeast’Some Say India Can Stop The War’: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Big StatementPremium Petrol Prices Hiked By Up To ₹2.35 Per Litre In India Amid West Asia ConflictPakistan’s Fake War Narrative Exposed: India Busts Digital Attack After Iran’s IRIS Dena Strike123PhotostoriesMen’s health: Doctor shares early signs of low testosterone and if over-the-counter supplements helpFrom losing his mother at the age of 2 to delivering 15 flop Bhojpuri films and earning Rs 1.5 lakh per episode of Comedy Circus, When Krushna Abhishek opened up about his struggle8 desi vegetables that are actually foreign12 strangest place names in the world and the stories behind themEid Mubarak 2026: 6 traditional Seviyan preparations that complete the Eid feasting5 most scenic riverside retreats in India perfect for April travel5 advanced features in bikes that enhance performanceWhy no one stays in this forest after sunset: Unraveling the mystery of Nidhi Van6 spiritual cities emerging as India’s real estate hotspots in 20265 ways to use avocado peel in daily meal plans123Hot PicksIran newsGautam SinghaniaStrait of HormuzGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingIga SwiatekAir India Boeing 77760% free seat ruleQatar LNG ExportsMojtaba KhameneiJames GraceySpring EquinoxDiesel price hike8th Pay CommissionPremium Petrol Price Hike
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Friday greenlighted the Rs 18,263 crore Versova-Bhayandar Coastal Road Project that will adversely impact close to 46,000 mangrove trees but directed Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to scrupulously comply with Bombay HC directions to file yearly audit reports on status of afforestation, to be carried out prior or simultaneously, for a period of 10 years.Refusing to entertain an appeal against the HC’s Dec 12 order allowing the project, a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said there is no doubt about the public benefit of the project, which would decongest the Western Express Highway.“Construction of this road is very important for residents of Mumbai. We cannot stall every developmental project even though it is equally important that the environment and conservation mechanisms are not compromised,” the bench said.Appearing for NGO Vanashakti, senior advocate C U Singh said, “The impugned judgment permits diversion of 103.7 hectares of forest land constituting 45,675 mangroves across Malad creek without any assessment of the environmental and ecological harm that would be caused.”The Supreme Court bench said, “No mangrove should be removed unless there is overriding public interest. There is no dispute that the coastal road project connecting Versova and Bhayandar is of extreme public importance.”Solicitor general Tushar Mehta assured Supreme Court that the yearly audit reports will be filed, as per the high court direction, for the next 10 years to ensure growth and health of the compensatory afforestation being carried out near Tadoba reserve forest and the relocation and plantation of mangrove at a location 10km from the project site.The CJI-led bench said that the annual report shall give complete details of the non-forest land used for afforestation. “In view of the safeguards incorporated in the order of the Bombay HC, we do not see any reason to entertain the appeal,” it said.Narrating the beneficial effects of mangroves, which according to Vanashakti are highly effective in countering pollution and high tides, C U Singh said the approval given by the high court to the project would allow the proponents to cut down mangrove even before the stage-II environment impact assessment and forest clearance.Solicitor general Tushar Mehta a said compensatory afforestation has already been carried out on 31 hectares of land simultaneously with the project work.Solicitor general Mehta a said the high court has put the BMC to strict terms to ensure adequate compensatory afforestation, their growth and survival for at least 10 years.
