BMC restarts construction of ₹12,751-cr coastal road project

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has restarted the construction work of a 10.58-km long portion of the coastal road from Princess Street Flyover in Marine Drive to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea link involving ₹12,751 crore investments. The mega project will pass through Priyadarshini Park, Tata Garden and Haji Ali where at least 600 trees will be cut and transplanted during the construction of the coastal road. The civic body removed eight trees from the Tata Garden where at least 61 trees will be affected by the project, which will connect the coastal road with the existing internal road through Tata Garden. The authority concerned had given its nod to cut and transplant trees coming in the way of the coastal road. According to activist Zoru Bhathena, BMC had said it would transplant these trees in proposed open spaces that will come on reclaimed land. According to V S Nighote, Chief Engineer of the coastal road project, the portion of the garden and its adjacent part will be needed for the proposed interchange arm of the coastal road, as such, the civic body has secured approval from the Tree Authority to cut and transplant trees, which will pave the way for the quicker execution of the road project.