Supreme Court Refuses To Stop BMC From Cutting 46K Mangroves For Versova-Bhayander Coastal Road

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to interfere with the Bombay High Court's order allowing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to remove over 45,000 mangrove trees for the construction of the proposed Versova–Bhayandar coastal road.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi was hearing a petition filed by an environmental organisation, Vanashakti, challenging the High Court's order passed on December 12, 2025. The High Court granted permission subject to the condition that the BMC to file annual status reports for ten years, detailing progress on mangrove restoration and compensatory afforestation.

Observing that the proposed road will have a "significant and beneficial impact on the general public as it will decongest the western highway", and noting that the High Court has imposed suitable conditions, the Supreme Court declined interference. "There will be other significant advantages for the residents of Mumbai due to the construction of the road," the Court observed.

The project involved the removal of about 45,675 mangrove trees from an area of 103.65 hectares.  The Court noted that the BMC has undertaken to do compensatory afforestation in an equivalent area of non-forest land in Chandrapur district. As per the plan, 36,675 mangroves will be relocated and 9,000 will be permanently removed.

The Court directed that the BMC should submit annual reports to the High Court detailing the extent of compensatory afforestation and the resotration of mangroves.

Senior Advocate Chander Uday Singh, for the petitioner, submitted that the BMC took the High Court's permission by re-purposing a prior afforestation. He said that there are satellite images from October 2025, two months before the High Court's order, showing this fact. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, for the BMC, refuted these allegations. SG said that the construction of the road will reduce travel time and traffic congestion, and will consequently reduce carbon emissions.

Singh urged that the proposal be reviewed so that the number of mangroves to be cut can be reduced. "If the amount of cutting can be minimised, if we save at least 10,000, that is a huge benefit for the nation. Mangroves absorb CO2 more than 5 times that of a normal forest. We are not questioning project, saving mangroves won't hamper project. As per them, only 9000 are in the direct path of the project," Singh submitted.

Justice Bagchi however pointed out that the petitioner has to challenge the Environmnetal Clearance (EC) Stage 1 to question the number of trees required for diversion. Justice Bagchi added that the High Court did not simply go by the word of the project proponent, and considered the EC.

"If some mangroves can be saved. They take at least 100 years to grow. Mumbai is saved from floods because of them," Singh urged. The CJI however pointed out that the experts have arrived at this figure and that the Court cannot second-guess them.

The bench also reminded the petitioner that it had asked the BMC to submit annual reports to the High Court.

"In view of the safeguards taken by HC, we see no reason to interfere with the High Court's order," the bench observed.

Case : VANASHAKTI Vs BRIHANMUMBAI MUNICIPAL CORPORATION | D No. 12005/2026