11 July,2026 09:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
Vehicles make their way through a waterlogged road as rain lashes Vasai-Virar in Palghar district on Wednesday. Pic/PTI
Environmental NGO Vanashakti has blamed years of unchecked destruction of wetlands, mangroves and low-lying areas in the Vasai-Virar region for the recurring flooding of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway.
In a letter to Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik and other senior officials, the NGO alleged that repeated complaints over the past decade were ignored, allowing illegal reclamation to continue and crippling one of the state's busiest highways during heavy rain.
. Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik
. Other senior state government officials
. Immediate action against illegal reclamation
. Restoration of wetlands and natural drainage channels
. Protection of mangroves and coastal marshes
. Implementation of long-term flood mitigation measures for the highway corridor
Vanashakti alleged that the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation either:
. Failed to prevent illegal reclamation, or
. Enabled such activities by not taking action. The NGO described the recurring flooding as an "international shame", saying it reflects years of inaction despite repeated warnings.
. Illegal reclamation of wetlands, mangroves, marshes and former paddy fields has blocked natural drainage.
. Floodwaters from the Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding hills can no longer flow into coastal wetlands.
. Water accumulates on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway during heavy rain, leading to recurring flooding.
. Authorities failed to act despite receiving repeated complaints over several years.
The NGO said it has attached copies of complaints submitted to government departments over the years to show it had repeatedly warned authorities about the environmental damage and the flood risk.
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