Katai Naka–Mumbra Elevated Corridor Gets CRZ Clearance

The project is likely to affect 494 mangrove trees spread over 2.79 hectares.

Thane: The 6.71-km-long special elevated corridor between Katai Naka and Mumbra has received clearance under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. A portion of this project passes through mangrove areas. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is undertaking the construction.

Motorists from Navi Mumbai, Mumbra, Dombivli, and Shil Phata regularly face heavy traffic congestion. To address this, MMRDA is developing a special route from Airoli to Mumbra, with the Katai Naka–Mumbra elevated corridor planned as an extension. This route will pass over the Desai Creek, and has recently been approved by the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA).

Of the total project area of 16,279.91 sq m, about 570 sq m falls within the CRZ zone, including 158.21 sq m of mangrove land. The project is likely to affect 494 mangrove trees spread over 2.79 hectares. MCZMA has instructed MMRDA to ensure that supporting pillars are not placed within mangrove areas. The proposal has now been recommended to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change for final approval.

Travel Time to Drop from 90 Minutes to 15 Minutes

Once operational, the Airoli–Katai Naka commute, which currently takes around 90 minutes, will be reduced to just 15 minutes. This will benefit traffic headed towards Badlapur and Murbad (Devi Ahlyanagar) as well. The project is also expected to ease congestion on the Thane–Belapur Road, Mahape Road, and Shil–Kalyan Road, MCZMA noted while granting its approval.