The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has initiated the environmental approval process for the Thane Coastal Road Phase II by submitting an application for Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance. The proposed project, estimated to cost ₹5,140.92 crore, is a major infrastructure initiative aimed at improving connectivity between Thane and Mumbai while reducing traffic congestion across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The proposal has been submitted to the State Coastal Zone Management Authority under the provisions of the CRZ Notification, 2019. Environmental clearance is mandatory before construction can begin because the planned alignment passes through ecologically sensitive coastal areas, including mangrove forests and protected environmental zones.
The project involves the construction of a 7.13-km, six-lane coastal road connecting Balkum and Kasheli in Thane with Anand Nagar in Mulund East. Once completed, the corridor is expected to provide an alternative route for regional traffic, improve travel efficiency, and strengthen connectivity between Thane and Mumbai.
According to MMRDA, the project qualifies as an essential public infrastructure development under the existing CRZ regulations, subject to compliance with environmental safeguards and statutory conditions. The proposed alignment falls within several coastal regulation categories, including CRZ-IA, CRZ-IB, CRZ-II, and CRZ-IVB, each of which requires specific environmental assessments and regulatory approvals.
As part of the CRZ application, MMRDA has acknowledged that approximately 12.72 hectares of mangrove cover will be affected, involving the removal of nearly 1,733 mangrove trees. A separate proposal seeking forest clearance has already been submitted to the concerned authorities. The agency has also committed to undertaking compensatory afforestation and other mitigation measures as part of the environmental clearance process.
The environmental assessment highlights the ecological sensitivity of the project area. Portions of the alignment fall within the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, located around 700 metres from the proposed road. The alignment is also situated approximately 2.6 km from the Eco-Sensitive Zone of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, while the Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary lies within an 8-km radius.
To support its application, MMRDA has completed terrestrial and marine Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies, prepared coastal zone maps, and developed a disaster management plan. These studies are intended to evaluate the project’s environmental impact and identify measures to minimise ecological disturbance during construction and operation.
The Thane Coastal Road Phase II forms part of Maharashtra’s broader strategy to enhance urban mobility while balancing infrastructure development with environmental protection. The project will proceed only after obtaining the required CRZ and forest clearances and complying with all statutory environmental conditions.
