Mumbai: In a significant development aimed at improving urban connectivity in Navi Mumbai, a technical team from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-Bombay) recently visited the proposed Palm Beach Road underpass site at Sanpada Sector-19 to evaluate design alternatives and suggest possible modifications to the project.
According to officials, the IIT-B team conducted a detailed inspection of the site after the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) sought expert assistance to ensure that the project causes minimum environmental damage, particularly to existing trees in the area. The civic body is reportedly exploring ways to save as many trees as possible while still executing the infrastructure project.
The proposed underpass is part of a larger plan to improve connectivity between Sanpada and Juinagar nodes, two important residential and commercial zones along Palm Beach Road. However, the project has faced significant attention due to environmental concerns, as it is expected to impact around 440 trees in total, including 329 trees proposed for transplantation and 111 trees marked for cutting.
Officials confirmed that the IIT-Bombay team, led by experts from the institute’s transportation systems engineering department, examined the site layout, traffic movement patterns, and structural feasibility of alternative designs. The focus of the visit was to assess whether the current alignment could be redesigned to reduce tree loss without compromising road safety and traffic flow.
The underpass project, estimated to cost around ₹33.8 crore, was approved earlier to ease growing traffic congestion along Palm Beach Road, which is one of Navi Mumbai’s busiest corridors connecting Vashi, Nerul, and Belapur. Authorities have stated that the work is essential due to increasing vehicle load and the need for better east-west connectivity in the city.
However, the project has also triggered strong reactions from local residents and environmental activists. Several citizen groups have raised concerns over the loss of mature green cover, arguing that tree transplantation success rates are often low and that the ecological balance of the area could be affected. Protests and awareness campaigns have been organised earlier demanding alternative design solutions that prioritise environmental conservation.
On the administrative side, NMMC officials have clarified that they are open to expert recommendations and will review the IIT-Bombay report before making any final changes to the design or execution plan. The civic body has also maintained that infrastructure development is necessary, but efforts are being made to strike a balance between urban growth and environmental sustainability.
Experts from IIT-Bombay are expected to submit a detailed report outlining possible modifications, including changes in alignment, structural adjustments, or construction techniques that could help minimise tree cutting and transplantation. The final decision will depend on technical feasibility as well as environmental considerations.
Meanwhile, the project continues to remain under close public and administrative scrutiny, as it represents a broader challenge faced by rapidly growing cities—balancing infrastructure expansion with ecological preservation.
Once the IIT-Bombay recommendations are received, NMMC is expected to take a final call on whether the design can be modified or if the current plan will proceed with mitigation measures.
