10 hectares mangrove land to make way for construction of DP Road in Thane

The project requires forest land from six villages. Representation pic

In a bad news for nature lovers, 10 hectares of mangrove forest in Thane district will have to make way for construction of Balkum to Gaimukh DP Road, said to be a NH-3 connector, which, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) says, is expected to solve traffic issue.

The project, also called Ghodbunder Bypass, will be implemented by the TMC. As per the proposal sent to the Union Environment Ministry for forest clearance, DP Road is proposed to start at Kharegaon Toll Naka on Mumbai-Nashik Highway (NH-3) and end at Ghodbunder Road (SH-42) near Gaimukh.

The project will require a total of 10.0377 ha of mangroves forest land and 40.9232 ha of non-forest land. The forest land required includes 0.2407 ha at Kavesar, 3.1332 ha at Balkum, 0.5532 ha at Kharogaon, 5.3543 ha at Kolshet, 0.0111 ha at Wadavli and 0.7453 ha at Bhyanderpada.

According to an executive engineer at the public works department (PWD), TMC has stated, "It is to certify that I/we, Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), have applied for diversion of 10.0377 ha of mangrove forest land. There is no alternative but to use the forest land for the project."

According to the proposal, TMC is taking up the project as part of its mission to decongest heavy traffic entering the city, particularly on Ghodbunder Road, through proposed development of DP Road from Balkum to Gaimukh.

"It is a vital road segment of regional corridor proposed in regional plans and updation of Comprehensive Transport Study of MMRDA. It is also an important link proposed in the Comprehensive Mobility Plan prepared for Thane city. Construction of Balkum to Gaimukh DP Road involves cutting of mangroves in some patches," stated the proposal submitted to the ministry.

10.0377
Hectare forest land required for the project