Mumbai’s freeway project halted as 706 trees face legal battle over environmental harm
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is examining a legal challenge against Mumbai’s Elevated Freeway project. Advocate Sagar Devre, a Mulund resident, has filed a petition to halt the felling of 706 trees along the Eastern Express Highway. The case centres on claims of procedural violations and environmental harm linked to the project’s tree removal plans.
The latest hearing on December 15, 2025, deferred a decision until early 2026. Environmental impact assessments by the Maharashtra government remain under review, leaving the project’s future uncertain for now.
Devre’s petition targets the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and its Tree Authority. He argues that the permission to cut trees was granted without proper public consultation. Notices were allegedly published in non-empanelled newspapers, limiting public awareness and participation.
The case also highlights concerns over the loss of iconic Pink Trumpet Trees, which line the Vikhroli-Kanjurmarg section of the highway. Devre claims their removal would degrade the environment and violate citizens’ right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The petition demands a stay on tree felling, an independent expert review, and a scientifically sound compensatory afforestation plan.
On January 6, 2026, the NGT instructed MCGM to submit a report on Devre’s representation. The tribunal has set the next hearing for February 27, 2026, to review the corporation’s response. The project’s compliance with the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975, remains a key point of contention.
Devre further alleges that critical information was withheld during the approval process. Without full transparency, he argues, the Tree Authority’s decision lacks legal validity. The tribunal’s final ruling could determine whether construction proceeds or faces further delays.
The NGT’s upcoming hearing will assess MCGM’s report and the environmental safeguards in place. A decision on the project’s future hinges on whether the tribunal finds the tree removal process lawful and adequately transparent. The outcome may also influence how similar infrastructure projects balance development with ecological preservation in Mumbai.
