Residents all along the west coast of Mumbai are opposing the ambitious Mumbai Coastal Freeway, a new 35-km stretch from Marine Drive to Malad. The road proposal has been recommended by a joint technical committee headed by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation chief Subodh Kumar.

Bandra West Residents Association (BWRA), with other residents associations from the city’s west half, met on November 1 to spread awareness about issues that follow such infrastructural growth, and garner support from the public at large.

Architect PK Das said that there are two options in this plan: One ignores all natural situations on large stretches of landfilled roads in the sea and mangroves, and another offers varied roads depending on the natural conditions of the locations.

Rushi Aggarwal, from the Mangroves Association of India, said that a coastal freeway reclaiming the sea and mangroves will deteriorate the ecological balance of the city. Citizens from the group demand that the government not finalise the plans before taking into consideration the concerns they put forth.