Balancing Progress: Supreme Court Greenlights Tree Felling for Mumbai Road Project

The Supreme Court has allowed the Tree Authority to decide on a plea by BMC to fell 95 trees in Mumbai's Film City for the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road project. The project aims to improve connectivity between Western and Eastern Express Highways. The court emphasized environmental considerations alongside developmental needs.

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has given a nod to the Tree Authority to make a decision on a plea by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for felling 95 trees in Mumbai's Film City. This move is crucial for progressing with the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project.

The ambitious GMLR initiative aims to enhance road connectivity from the Western Express Highway to the Eastern Express Highway, aiming to cut travel time by nearly an hour between Mulund and Goregaon. The BMC has underlined the necessity of cutting these trees to facilitate tunneling operations essential for the project.

While emphasizing the importance of environmental protection, the Supreme Court acknowledged the need for infrastructural development as a driver of national progress. The court instructed BMC to accompany the experts' report with an afforestation plan, marking the necessity of balancing ecological and developmental interests.

(With inputs from agencies.)