Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed the felling and transplantation of 213 trees for the long-delayed Vidyavihar East-West Connector project, a move that has drawn criticism from environmentalists amidst the city’s current heatwave conditions. This decision comes as Mumbai grapples with rising temperatures and El Niño climatic phase impacts.
Flyover Project Details and Environmental Impact
The Vidyavihar East-West Connector, a project first envisioned 35 years ago, is nearing its completion after nearly a decade of construction. The 650-meter-long, two-lane flyover aims to link Ramkrishna Chemburkar Marg in eastern Vidyavihar with Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg in the west, traversing over railway tracks. This vital infrastructure is expected to drastically reduce travel time between the two parts of Vidyavihar from over 30 minutes to approximately 10-15 minutes, providing much-needed connectivity to an area currently lacking direct east-west access. Motorists currently face significant detours, often taking 30 to 45 minutes to cross the railway lines via Ghatkopar or Kurla.
The construction of approach roads for the flyover has led to the identification of 189 affected trees. According to project surveys and subsequent design modifications, 77 trees are slated for felling, 85 for transplantation, and 51 are to be retained in their original positions. The total number of trees impacted has risen to 213 due to changes in the road design, with 12 to be felled and 12 transplanted.
Compensatory Afforestation and Environmental Concerns
To mitigate the environmental impact, the BMC has proposed planting 2,278 trees as compensatory afforestation. This extensive plantation drive will be undertaken on a 2.05-hectare plot in Karanjade, Panvel, in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, due to the scarcity of available land within Mumbai. The Maharashtra Forest Development Corporation (MFDC) has been proposed to carry out this plantation and maintenance work for a period of seven years. The overall cost for environmental mitigation, including transplantation and compensatory plantation, is estimated to be around Rs 1.99 crore.
Environmentalists have voiced concerns over the felling of such a large number of trees, particularly during a period of intense heatwaves and climate vulnerability. They argue that shifting plantations outside Mumbai does not adequately address the local ecological loss and question whether these distant plantations will effectively contribute to the city’s immediate environmental needs. The long-standing delays in the project, which began in 2018 with an initial completion target of mid-2022, have also frustrated residents and commuters.
Project History and Timeline
The Vidyavihar East-West Connector project has a protracted history, with its initial proposal dating back to 1991. Momentum for the project picked up in 2016, with construction commencing in 2018. However, the project has been beset by numerous delays, attributed to factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, design changes, and the need to remove over 80 structures and realign storm water drains. The project’s estimated total cost is Rs 76.18 crore, with AB Infrabuild Limited appointed as the contractor and a formal work order issued in February 2024. Despite a revised deadline of June 2026, concerns persist about the pace of work and its completion before the monsoon sets in.
The project’s engineering highlights include a 100-meter steel girder span over railway tracks, reportedly the longest such girder in Mumbai. Once completed, the flyover is expected to significantly improve traffic flow and reduce travel times, easing the daily commute for thousands of Mumbaikars.
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The Chenab Times News Desk