# BMC gets final nod to divert 103.65 hectares for coastal road 2026-08-06T17:51:16+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The BMC has received Stage II clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to divert 103.6554 hectares of mangrove forest for Mumbai’s Versova to Bhayandar link road, the Free Press Journal reports. Construction and mangrove removal can now proceed, with completion targeted for December 2028. The BMC said compensatory planting of 1.37 lakh mangroves would cover 255 hectares. Planting has begun on 31 hectares in Bhayandar, while work on 244 hectares in Palghar is due to start soon. Activists and residents allege mangroves were cut beyond peripheral areas before final approval. Vanashakti director Stalin D accused authorities of violating earlier conditions and court orders. A Malad resident warned that losing green cover could increase flooding risk. ## Coverage - freepressjournal.in Tags: BMC, Coastal Road North, environment, mangroves, Mumbai Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/bmc-gets-final-nod-to-divert-103-65-hectares-for-coastal-road/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/bmc-gets-final-nod-to-divert-103-65-hectares-for-coastal-road/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.