The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to appoint a consultant to fast-track land acquisition and clearances for the 27-km northern arm of the Mumbai Coastal Road (North), stretching from Versova through Dahisar to Bhayandar and associated bridge links. The move targets an area of about 346 hectares, with completion planned within three months. According to Abhijit Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), the consultant will oversee acquisition of land parcels (both public and private) and ensure readiness of sites for key connecting bridges: the Mash–Versova bridge, Lagoon Road–Infinity Mall bridge, Ramchandra bridge in Malad, and the Marve–Manori bridge. These are essential for seamless connectivity to the main corridor. The scope extends to interchange areas, approach roads, utility relocations (including high-tension lines) and parcels under the Development Plan (DP). “This is a procedurally heavy task involving extensive paperwork, surveys and marking. Appointing a consultant will help streamline and reduce the load on the civic DP department,” said a BMC bridges department official. Official records show that the suburban collector has granted advance possession of 60.52 ha, including creek-affected zones in Charkop, Eksar, Borivali, Malad, Versova and Juhu; additionally 34.6 ha of mangrove-affected land is being transferred by the Mangrove Cell to the BMC. On the land rights front, about 45 structures on MHADA land at Aram Nagar, Versova will be relocated; eligibility verification for project-affected persons (PAPs) is underway and they will be moved to transit accommodation until a construction agency is appointed (expected by March 2026). The major institutional shift involves the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Versova, where relocation is being handled by MHADA and the BMC. Private land parcels are being negotiated through compensation via cash, Transferable Development Rights (TDR) or additional Floor Space Index (FSI). Meanwhile, 64.7 ha fall under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) claims in Dahisar, Borivali, Malad and Goregaon; another 17.49 ha of FRA claims in Andheri West are pending. While some foundation and pier works have begun in non-CRZ zones (for example near Goregaon’s Oberoi Mall and the CIFE site in Versova), major construction is awaiting final environmental clearance from the Bombay High Court. The next hearing is scheduled for 19 November.