The Supreme Court has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to identify or acquire a minimum of 24 acres of land in Mumbai or nearby areas for compensatory afforestation related to the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road project.
This order comes after the BMC sought to fell 1,039 trees for the project’s second phase, only able to allocate just three acres within Sanjay Gandhi Park for replantation purposes. The court had previously allowed the felling of these trees with the stipulation that compensatory afforestation be executed scrupulously within a specified timeframe.
The court’s bench, comprising Chief Justice and a Justice of the Supreme Court, was informed by the BMC and other authorities that they need additional land—roughly 24 acres near Panvel—to fulfil the afforestation requirement. The court instructed the BMC to submit an affidavit within two weeks detailing the specific land locations for afforestation and to propose a schedule for completing the process.
The court scheduled additional reports from the civic body on progress, with filings due on March 31 and May 22, including videos documenting each step undertaken. The Chief Justice warned that any officer found violating court directions would face significant penalties, with fines recovered directly from their salaries.
This case underscores ongoing concerns regarding environmental compliance in urban infrastructure projects in Mumbai, especially related to the felling of trees for development works such as roads and metro corridors. The court’s emphasis on strict adherence to afforestation commitments highlights the judiciary’s intent to ensure ecological considerations are upheld amidst rapid urban growth.
The Goregaon-Mulund Link Road project aims to improve connectivity between key highways, reducing travel time and easing traffic congestion. However, past approvals for tree removal have drawn criticism over inadequate mitigation efforts, prompting the court’s scrutiny. The order reaffirming the need for proper afforestation measures seeks to balance infrastructural needs with environmental responsibilities.
Looking ahead, the BMC and Maharashtra authorities are expected to accelerate land acquisition and afforestation activities, implementing transparent procedures and community engagement to meet statutory and judicial benchmarks. The court’s future reviews will monitor compliance and reinforce efforts to mitigate ecological impacts of urban development projects.
Read Full Article At:
https://example.com/sc-orders-bmc-to-secure-land-for-tree-compensation , https://example.com/sc-orders-bmc-to-secure-land-for-tree-compensation
Image Generation Prompt:
A realistic photo of a busy Mumbai urban park with ongoing tree plantation activities, natural sunlight, capturing local trees and officials in safety gear overseeing reforestation efforts.
SEO Title:- Supreme Court Urges Mumbai to Secure Land for Tree Compensation in Road Project
Seo Description:- The Supreme Court has ordered Mumbai’s BMC to find 24 acres for compensatory afforestation for the Goregaon-Mulund road project amid ongoing environmental compliance concerns.
Tags:- mumbai,urban development,infrastructure,afforestation,environment,court order,bmc
