MMRDA Seeks CRZ Nod for ₹5,140 Crore Thane Coastal Road Phase II

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has filed a fresh application under the CRZ Notification, 2019, seeking Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for the proposed ₹5,140.92-crore Thane Coastal Road Phase II.

Spanning 7.13 km, the six-lane freeway aims to connect Balkum and Kasheli with Anand Nagar in Mulund East, bypassing regional traffic to ease severe congestion on Ghodbunder Road and the Eastern Express Highway.

Because the route traverses sensitive CRZ-IA, IB, II, and IVB categories, the project will impact 12.72 hectares of mangroves, requiring the removal of 1,733 mangrove trees. The alignment also touches the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (700 m away) and lies near Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Following terrestrial and marine Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) conducted between December 2025 and February 2026, MMRDA has submitted disaster management plans and proposed compensatory afforestation to secure the vital statutory nod.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.