Forest Land Cleared for Mumbai Rail Project
Mumbai – The central government has approved the diversion of 4.9 hectares of forest land for the Boisar Goods Siding Yard, a crucial component of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project – Phase III (MUTP III). This project, executed by the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC), aims to quadruple the Virar-Dahanu railway line, boosting Western Railway’s suburban train capacity.
Key facts:
- Approval: Granted by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in January.
- Justification: Needed to meet rising commuter demand in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
- Mitigation: Compensatory afforestation planned on 10 hectares of degraded forest land in Palghar.