Mumbai Coastal Road Project: Environmentalists Flag Mangrove Destruction At Khar Danda Due To Versova-Bandra Sea Link Jetty Construction

Mumbai: Construction of jetties at Kharghar Danda as part of the Versova-Bandra Sea Link (Coastal Road), is destroying mangroves at the site, citizens' group, Watchdog Foundation has said.

In a letter to the Maharashtra Chief Minister, environment department, and the chief secretary, the group has pointed out that mangrove forests at the site are being destroyed due to indiscriminate dumping of debris at the Khar Danda coast.

The Versova-Bandra Sea Link project includes the construction of four jetties at Bandra, Danda, Juhu, and Versova. Additionally, connectors are proposed at Otters Club (Carter Road, Bandra), Juhu Koliwada, and Versova.

Local residents have reported the destruction of green cover on land adjoining Pump House at Guzder Bandh during the ongoing construction of the jetty at Khar Danda and the connector at Juhu Koliwada. Mangroves and other greenery are being destroyed due to the indiscriminate dumping of debris. There is a growing concern that this cleared land will soon be encroached upon by slums, said Godfrey Pimenta, trustee of the Watchdog Foundation.

Watchdog Foundation urged that, as a preventive measure, the construction area be adequately barricaded to protect it from future encroachments. The site should remain accessible only for legitimate, traditional fishing activities carried out by local fishermen, the group said.