Bombay HC Approves Navi Mumbai’s Cycle Track Along Palm Beach Road

28 Feb 2025 CW Team

The Bombay High Court has granted the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) permission to move forward with its proposed cycle track and area development project along Palm Beach Road.

The project, designed to promote eco-friendly transportation and improve public health, had been contested by the Bombay Environmental Action Group (BEAG) due to its partial location within the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and mangrove buffer areas. However, the court ruled in favour of the project, recognising its public utility and its minimal impact on the mangroves.

NMMC had proposed the ?13,90,83,934 project in 2021, which will span both the service road and the main lane of Palm Beach Road in Nerul. The corporation sought court approval, emphasising that the project would encourage a healthy, eco-friendly mode of transport for daily commuters.

After obtaining the necessary clearances from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), the Chief Conservator of Forests (Mangrove Cell), and the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), NMMC clarified that the project would be situated on the landward side of the road, making it permissible under the CRZ-II category.

Despite opposition from BEAG, who argued that the project was not allowed within CRZ-II, the court found the objection unsustainable. "This project serves public utility purposes and doesn’t harm the mangroves," stated the court.

The court also noted that safeguards had been imposed by the MCZMA, SEIAA, and the forest department, allowing NMMC to proceed. The project aims to alleviate congestion by creating a dedicated cycle lane and improve connectivity across Navi Mumbai.

Infrastructure Transport

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