The Maharashtra government has clarified that the promenade developed along Mumbai’s Aksa Beach in Malad West is not illegal, asserting that all required environmental approvals were obtained before construction began.
The clarification comes amid an ongoing legal battle, after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had earlier declared the structure unauthorized and ordered its demolition.
Govt Says Due Permissions Were Taken
Ports and Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane, in a written reply to the Legislative Council, stated that the Aksa beach beautification and promenade project was initiated only after receiving clearances from:
Rane said the project underwent a tender process, and work had already progressed significantly when the NGT issued its demolition order.
NGT Had Ordered Demolition in 2023
In September this year, the NGT ruled that the promenade violated Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms and directed the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) to dismantle it within two months.
The Tribunal said MMB exceeded the terms and conditions of the environmental clearance by constructing:
The project, costing approximately ₹11 crore, was alleged to obstruct natural sand movement, potentially leading to future beach erosion — a concern strongly raised by environmental activists.
Supreme Court Stay in Force
MMB appealed the NGT verdict before the Supreme Court.
On November 20, 2025, the Supreme Court granted a stay on the NGT demolition order, allowing work to remain halted but preventing immediate removal of the structure.
“The matter is sub judice. The Supreme Court has stayed the NGT order,” Rane confirmed.
Activists Disagree
Environmental campaigner Zoru Bathena, who has been vocal against the project since 2023, strongly reiterated that the promenade violates CRZ norms.
“The promenade is illegal. It cannot be built in the tidal zone. We will oppose MMB’s plea in the Supreme Court. The SC stay on the demolition order continues, but the case is ongoing,”
— Zoru Bathena, Activist
Green groups argue that construction “in the middle of the beach” threatens natural sediment flow and long-term ecological stability, despite MMB claiming it was a protective anti-erosion measure.
What Lies Ahead
With over 95% of embankment work and 25% of beautification work completed before the NGT’s intervention, the future of the promenade now rests entirely on the Supreme Court’s upcoming hearings.
Key issues before the court include:
Until the final verdict, the project remains on hold, but its fate continues to generate debate between the government, environmental groups, and local stakeholders.
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