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The Supreme Court recently granted in-principle clearance to cut 95 trees in Film City for Mumbai's Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) tunnel project. This east-west connectivity initiative, crucial for easing Mumbai traffic, received the nod with a key condition: no trees are to be cut without court approval of a compensatory afforestation plan. The Court also requested a report from experts who approved the project's alignment, questioning whether alternative solutions were considered. While emphasizing environmental protection, the bench stressed the need for sustainable development and essential infrastructure, citing the positive impact of existing projects like the Coastal Road and Atal Setu on Mumbai's traffic.
The Supreme Court recently gave its in-principle approval for cutting 95 trees in Film City, Mumbai. This clearance is for the construction of 6.6-kilometer twin tunnels for the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR), a project meant to improve east-west connectivity. The GMLR is part of a larger network of link roads that include the Santacruz-Chembur, Andheri-Ghatkopar, and Jogeshwari-Vikhroli links, all vital for Mumbai's traffic flow. Advertisement
The Court's approval, however, came with a clear condition that no trees be cut until the Court approves the compensatory afforestation plan. The bench also asked for a report from the experts who approved this specific alignment that requires the removal of the 95 trees, and inquired if any alternative routes had been considered.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), represented by Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, sought the approval for tree cutting in Film City, an area adjacent to Aarey's forests, which is known for its environmental sensitivity. Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan opposed the request, stating there were serious problems in the procedures followed.
A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) B. R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran stated that it was as concerned about protecting the environment as anyone, but emphasized that sustainable development must proceed. CJI Gavai further explained that while environmental protection is important because the current generation is a caretaker of natural resources for future generations, essential development activities cannot be ignored. He added that for a country to progress, infrastructure development is crucial, and without proper infrastructure, further national progress is not possible. However, he stressed the need for precautions to cause the least damage to the environment and for adequate afforestation measures.
CJI Gavai also noted the practical benefits of such infrastructure. He told Sankaranarayanan that similar opposition had been made when the Coastal Road and Atal Setu were proposed, but those projects had since greatly helped Mumbaikars travel with relative ease. He added that he often visits Mumbai and understands the city's traffic situation firsthand, noting how the three existing east-west link roads, along with the Coastal Road and Atal Setu, have helped ease congestion. This ruling balances environmental concerns with the need for urban infrastructure development in a city like Mumbai.
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