The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has asked the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) to rework the proposed Balkum to Anandnagar coastal road after finding the alignment would cut through the flamingo sanctuary in Thane creek and endanger 3,754 mangroves on 2.72 hectares of forest land. The MCZMA's position followed the MMRDA submission on August 11. The MMRDA is also building a six-lane extension to the Eastern Freeway from Ghatkopar to Thane to link to the coastal road. The MCZMA recommended that the authority explore an alternative alignment with a smaller impact on the eco-sensitive zone and asked for the state forest department's mangrove protection cell report to assess consequences. It instructed the MMRDA to plan for compensatory mangrove plantation options and to submit a detailed assessment of impacts on creek ecology and flamingo habitat with mitigation measures. The coastal authority also sought a report on public complaints about the proposal. An environmentalist from NGO Vanshakti criticised the plan and questioned the need for another coastal road, saying Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) activity had reduced mangrove cover towards Bhiwandi. An MMRDA official said altering the route would be almost impossible because it follows an alignment notified in the TMC development plan, though interchange alternatives have been presented to the MCZMA. The official said the route is intended to continue Thane Coastal Road phase one and integrate with regional links such as the proposed Kopri-Patni bridge, the Eastern Freeway extension at Anand Nagar and the Eastern Express Highway (EEH). The MMRDA noted the portion of the coastal road that would pass through the eco-sensitive zone is planned as an elevated structure on piers, reducing its physical footprint. It said the standard span has been increased from 30 metre to 45-50 metre to reduce the number of pier foundations and limit mangrove loss to pier locations. The official said the project has been deferred and additional information will be submitted to the MCZMA.