Mumbai: Yari Road-Lokhandwala bridge plan hits roadblock

Locals say only one bride would be sufficient, and that building all three would cause massive destruction to mangroves in the area. Representation pic

The BMC's plan for direct connectivity between Yari Road and Lokhandwala has run into trouble, with the Supreme Court staying the felling of mangroves. Yari Road residents had challenged the project in the SC claiming it will destroy the flora and fauna in the area.

The civic body had received the necessary permission from the Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change for the project. But the SC passed the interim stay order on Wednesday.

The project involves construction of three bridges between Yari Road and Lokhandwala, which will pass through SVP Nagar in Andheri West, to decongest traffic in the area. Locals, however, contest that only one bridge would be sufficient.

They are specifically opposing the proposed bridge that would start near Amarnath Towers, Yari Road, and land near Jankidevi School, SVP Nagar. The area is visited by various birds whose activity would be hindered by road development and traffic once the bridge is built, they said.

The petitioners -- 12 individuals and one society -- said the bridge would also affect 100 odd trees and mangroves. "Moreover, this bridge will serve no purpose and would instead lead to a bottleneck at the exit of SVP Nagar and cause more congestion ahead," said a resident of Jai Bharat Society, outside of which the bridge is planned.

The petitioners also said that mangroves would suffer much more destruction if all three bridges are built.

Civic officials said they were not aware of the SC order. "The petition was [earlier] dismissed in the High Court and I will have to check for any recent orders from the Supreme Court," said an official.

Currently, it takes about 20 minutes to half an hour to reach Lokhandwala from Yari Road. The bridges will provide direct connectivity and reduce traffic congestion at JP Road and Seven Bungalows, said officials.

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No. of trees that would need to be cleared