Activists worried about the damage to the environment caused by proposed coastal road project on the west coast of Mumbai, now have added reason to worry. Along with the proposed six-lane road for the project, the state government also plans to come up with an additional two lanes to construct a metro line as well as a Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS).

It should be noted that the coastal road project already requires reclamation of 110 hectares for the construction of the six lanes. The project requires a nod from the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), as it comes under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). The MoEF seems inclined towards clearing the project and plans to make amendments to the CRZ rule so that the project receives clearance. The estimated cost of the project is R9,000 crore, while the other two projects,including the metro and the BRTS, will cost Rs 7,000 crore.