Citizens continue protests against proposed felling of 45,000 mangrove trees in Mumbai for Coastal Road project

Around 100 citizens gathered at the Amphitheatre at Carter Road, Bandra West, on Sunday (May 17, 2026) evening for a peaceful public awareness in response to the proposed felling of 45,000 mangrove trees for the 26.3 km-long Versova-Bhayander road, which is estimated to cost over ₹18,000 crore and is the second phase of the northward extension of the Mumbai Coastal Road along the city’s west coast.

What was first set out to be a formation of a human chain along Carter Road of all those who had gathered, holding up placards and posters for public awareness, was altered, due to the lack of permission from the Mumbai Police, to a gathering which featured music, open conversations, public interactions and a guided mangrove awareness walk along the Carter Road coastline.

Participants engaged with members of the public through informal discussions and awareness activities focused on the ecological importance of mangroves, which act as natural buffers against extreme weather events and sustain fishing communities, among a myriad of eco-sensitive roles they play.

Those gathered at the protest called for increased transparency in the decision-making behind the destruction of ecosystems, of mangroves, for example, thereby questioning the speed at which it was implemented. Making decisions through meaningful consultation with local communities and experts was stressed upon as well.