The mangrove diversion proposal under the Mumbai Coastal Road (North) — Versova to Bhayander Project — has received in-principle Stage-1 approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Accordingly, the process of compliance and fulfillment of the terms and conditions has been initiated by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. With the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) approval and forest transfer proposal having been approved in principle, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will now approach the Hon`ble High Court for final approval for the implementation of the project," the statement said.

The mangrove forest area that will be permanently affected by the actual project is 8.24 hectares, and 9,000 mangrove trees will be permanently impacted. Additionally, 68.55 hectares of mangroves will be temporarily diverted, affecting 36,000 mangrove trees during the construction phase. "After the completion of the construction, this area will be restored. A comprehensive mangrove restoration plan has been prepared by the Mumbai Mangrove Cell to compensate for the mangrove loss caused by this project. This plan will be implemented by the Mangrove Cell," the BMC said.