Mumbai: 27.2 Hectares of Mangroves to be Destroyed for Metro Line Between Two Airports
The Maharashtra government, citing the need for better connectivity between the Navi Mumbai and Mumbai airports, has sanctioned the Metro 8 line. The project, which will also include a car shed close to the interstate bus terminal, aims to enhance transportation links between the two major airports. However, environmentalists and activists have raised significant concerns over the proposed site for the car shed, which is planned on 27.2 hectares of reserved forest (mangrove) land at Mandale.
The government resolution issued by the urban development department states that approval has been granted for the transfer of this land. CIDCO officials mentioned that the plot is adjacent to Metro 2B’s Mandale car depot. This decision has reignited debates over the environmental impact of infrastructure projects in Mumbai.
Earlier, environmentally unfriendly decisions for metro car sheds have faced strong opposition. The decision to build the Metro 3 car shed on Aarey forest land was a major flashpoint, and the plan to have a car depot at Bhayandar had to be shelved due to the potential chopping of hundreds of trees. The Metro 8 Mandale proposal has similarly upset environmental activists.
When asked why this particular land was chosen, CIDCO sources explained that the land near the airport was needed for commercialization, making the Mandale site in Mumbai a more feasible option. CIDCO MD Vijay Singhal stated that the entire process had been approved by the cabinet, and they would seek permission from various authorities before commencing work.
The Navi Mumbai airport, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2025, became operational on December 25, 2025. However, the lack of connectivity between it and Mumbai’s international airport prompted the government to approve Metro 8. The Comprehensive Transport Study (2021) highlighted the need for a metro connection via Thane Creek, given the rapid development of Navi Mumbai and the increasing number of passengers between the two cities, which could lead to inadequate public transport systems in the future.
Activists have strongly criticized the decision. D Stalin of Vanashakti pointed out that Mandale is an area where the forest department conducts mangrove plantation and compensatory afforestation. He questioned why the metro depot could not be relocated to slum land, which would provide proper housing for slum dwellers and put government land to better use.
Environmentalist Nandkumar Pawar added, “We have already suffered damage due to the removal of mangroves. The government must explore alternate sites. The oxygen provided by these mangroves is priceless.” Stalin further emphasized the reckless destruction of forest and mangrove land for infrastructure projects, citing previous examples such as the Malad creek for the coastal road and sewage treatment plant, and Thane creek for the Kanjurmarg dumping ground. He warned that if forest land continues to be used for every project, Mumbai risks losing all its mangrove forests within the next five years.
